What is the Difference Between FBI and CIA?

The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) are both members of the U.S. Intelligence Community, but they have distinct differences and focus areas. Here are the main differences between the two agencies:

FBI:

• Primarily a domestic law enforcement agency, focusing on domestic security and investigating federal crimes.
• Collects intelligence related to domestic security and investigates various types of federal crimes, such as tax evasion and securities fraud.
• Responsibilities include counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, cyber-warfare, public corruption, civil rights, racketeering, fraud, drugs, and other serious crimes.
• Holds law enforcement positions and investigates domestic crimes.

CIA:

• Focuses on foreign affairs and does not have a law enforcement function.
• Collects information internationally and evaluates it to provide intelligence for U.S. policy decisions, particularly in areas affecting national security.
• Gathers national security information related to foreign governments, non-state actors, and other international entities.
• May engage in covert action at the president's direction in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

While both agencies occasionally cooperate on cases to share information, they have different responsibilities and focus on different aspects of national security.

Comparative Table: FBI vs CIA

The FBI and CIA are both part of the U.S. Intelligence Community, but they have distinct roles and functions. Here is a table highlighting the key differences between the two agencies:

In summary, the FBI is primarily a law enforcement agency focused on domestic security and intelligence, while the CIA is an international intelligence agency focused on gathering and analyzing foreign intelligence.