Mission & Priorities

Our Vision
Ahead of the threat
Our Mission
Protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States
Our Priorities
- Protect the U.S. from terrorist attack
- Protect the U.S. against foreign intelligence, espionage, and cyber operations
- Combat significant cyber criminal activity
- Combat public corruption at all levels
- Protect civil rights
- Combat transnational criminal enterprises
- Combat significant white-collar crime
- Combat significant violent crime
FBI Strategy
The FBI strategy enables leaders and managers to define and pursue objectives crucial to mission success, prioritize resources, track progress, address gaps, and deliver consistent results.
Our People & Leadership
The FBI employs more than 35,000 people, including special agents and support professionals such as intelligence analysts, language specialists, scientists, and information technology specialists. Learn how you can join us at FBIJobs.gov. For details on our executives and organizational structure, see our Leadership and Structure webpage.
Our Locations
We work around the globe. Along with our Headquarters in Washington, D.C., we have 56 field offices located in major cities throughout the U.S., about 350 satellite offices called resident agencies in cities and towns across the nation, and more than 60 international offices called legal attachés in U.S. embassies worldwide.
Our Budget
In fiscal year 2021, our total direct-funded budget is approximately $9.7 billion, including increases to:
- enhance cyber and counterintelligence capabilities;
- support firearms background checks;
- further automate the vetting process;
- increase data analytics and technical tools; and
- investigate and prosecute previously unresolved civil rights era ‘‘cold case’’ murders.
Our Core Values
- Respect
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Leadership
- Diversity
- Compassion
- Fairness
- Rigorous obedience to the Constitution
Our History
The FBI was established in 1908. See our history page for more details on our evolution and achievements over the years.
Our Motto
“Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity.” Learn about the origins of this motto.
See Also
- Get answers to Frequently Asked Questions
What We Investigate
The FBI's investigative programs include counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cyber, public corruption, civil rights, transnational organized crime, white collar crime, violent crime, and weapons of mass destruction.
Lawful Access
Because of warrant-proof encryption, the government often cannot obtain the electronic evidence necessary to investigate and prosecute threats to public and national safety, even with a warrant or court order.