Who is primarily responsible for federal law enforcement activities?

The primary responsibility for federal law enforcement activities typically falls to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This agency serves as the lead federal investigative agency and a key component of the U.S. Department of Justice. The FBI is tasked with a diverse range of responsibilities that include counterterrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, public corruption, civil rights protection, and more. By investigating federal offenses and enforcing federal laws, the FBI plays a critical role in ensuring national security and upholding justice.

While other agencies like the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have important law enforcement functions, they operate with narrower scopes. For example, the Department of Homeland Security focuses on immigration enforcement and disaster response, the U.S. Marshals Service primarily manages and transports federal prisoners and apprehends fugitives, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives specializes in regulating and investigating issues related to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives. Therefore, the FBI is designated as the principal entity for comprehensive federal law enforcement.