--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The FBI is unique in that it straddles…" description: "\"The FBI is unique in that it straddles both law enforcement and counterintelligence.\" — James R. Clapper" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/james-r-clapper-23551_fbi_the-fbi-is-unique-in-that-it-straddles-b_1030640.jpg" --- # The FBI is unique in that it straddles both law… ![“The FBI is unique in that it straddles both law enforcement and counterintelligence.” quote by James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/james-r-clapper-23551_fbi_the-fbi-is-unique-in-that-it-straddles-b_1030640.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/james-r-clapper-23551_fbi_the-fbi-is-unique-in-that-it-straddles-b_1030640.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/james-r-clapper-23551_fbi_the-fbi-is-unique-in-that-it-straddles-b_1030640.jpg) > “The FBI is unique in that it straddles both law enforcement and counterintelligence.” [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The FBI operates at the intersection of law enforcement and counterintelligence, combining domestic policing with foreign threat detection **In simple terms:** FBI does both police work and spy work Key Takeaway Recognize dual roles in security agencies Themes security law enforcement intelligence dual mandate Mood serious analytical Type informative policy-oriented When to use this quote - policy making - national security strategy - public safety - crime investigation Key Concepts organizational structure policy implications interagency cooperation Questions to Reflect On - How should agencies prioritize between domestic crime and foreign threats? - What safeguards protect against overreach? A Different Perspective Balancing civil liberties with security can be contentious ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Counterintelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counterintelligence/) [Law enforcement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law-enforcement/) ## Related quotes > [The FBI is a field-based law enforcement organization, and the vast majority of our investigations should continue to be worked by our field offices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-a-wray/the-fbi-is-a-field-based-law-enforcement-organization-and-the-vast/) [Christopher A. Wray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-a-wray/) > [But we had - I think if you look at law enforcement 10 years ago, if you look at the challenges, the FBI was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mueller/but-we-had-i-think-if-you-look-at-law-enforcement-10-years-ago-if-you/) [Robert Mueller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mueller/) > [Isn't it a little strange the FBI director has a private conversation with the president. Instead of saying to the president, Mr. President, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-ruddy/isn-t-it-a-little-strange-the-fbi-director-has-a-private-conversation/) [Christopher Ruddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-ruddy/) > [The president has a duty and a right to oversee the FBI, and you know, he properly delegate the law enforcement to the FBI…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/the-president-has-a-duty-and-a-right-to-oversee-the-fbi-and-you-know/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Before 9/11 there were weak procedures, willingness, and mechanisms for communicating among agencies for foreign intelligence and the FBI with its focus on law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-c-blair/before-9-11-there-were-weak-procedures-willingness-and-mechanisms-for/) [Dennis C. Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-c-blair/) > [ This killer \[in Orlando\] was interviewed by the FBI three times and I'm not going to second guess what career law enforcement professionals do… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/this-killer-in-orlando-was-interviewed-by-the-fbi-three-times-and-i-m/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [“Albright hadn't called him back yet, which pissed him off, but in the brief and fleeting moment when he put himself in Albright's shoes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-greaney/albright-hadn-t-called-him-back-yet-which-pissed-him-off-but-in-the/) [Mark Greaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-greaney/) > [Every Librarian is a highly trained agent. An expert in intelligence, counterintelligence, Boolean searching, and hand-to-hand combat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mac-barnett/every-librarian-is-a-highly-trained-agent-an-expert-in-intelligence/) [Mac Barnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mac-barnett/) > [And then fourth, we have that essential group of people who track programs and budgets to ensure that they align with the needs of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-cambone/and-then-fourth-we-have-that-essential-group-of-people-who-track/) [Stephen Cambone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-cambone/) > [Why did the Clinton Administration wait from 1995 to 1998 to tighten security and bolster counterintelligence at U.S. weapons labs?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-did-the-clinton-administration-wait-from-1995-to-1998-to-tighten/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Since 1998, the Administration has begun to upgrade counterintelligence and security at U.S. weapons labs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bass/since-1998-the-administration-has-begun-to-upgrade/) [Charles Bass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bass/) > [Understanding the Chinese counterintelligence threat better will help us respond to it more effectively. China is taking a multi-faceted approach, so we've got to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-a-wray/understanding-the-chinese-counterintelligence-threat-better-will-help/) [Christopher A. Wray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-a-wray/) > [When a foreign adversary knows that an American official has deceived or withheld vital information from our government, it creates a fundamental counterintelligence vulnerability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raja-krishnamoorthi/when-a-foreign-adversary-knows-that-an-american-official-has-deceived/) [Raja Krishnamoorthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raja-krishnamoorthi/) > [The Intelligence Committee will also examine present counterintelligence programs for the Department of Energy, the National Laboratories, and the Department of Defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-intelligence-committee-will-also-examine-present/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [US intelligence agencies will only use such data to meet specific security requirements: counterintelligence, counterterrorism, counterproliferation, cybersecurity, force protection for our troops and allies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/us-intelligence-agencies-will-only-use-such-data-to-meet-specific/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More by James R. Clapper > [There's nobody that wants the president to be successful more than I.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/there-s-nobody-that-wants-the-president-to-be-successful-more-than-i/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [What I said was, the NSA does not voyeuristically pore through U.S. citizens' e-mails. I stand by that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/what-i-said-was-the-nsa-does-not-voyeuristically-pore-through-u-s/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [I think Trump's presidency represents a completely different model than what we're used to. And I think to your point, yes, he is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/i-think-trump-s-presidency-represents-a-completely-different-model/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [We're talking about nuclear war with North Korea. We're talking about Russia. Does it feel like the world has shifted? Are we all just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/we-re-talking-about-nuclear-war-with-north-korea-we-re-talking-about/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [Trump is very skillful at identifying - even if he can't quite get it clear, or precisely describe it - but that's what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/trump-is-very-skillful-at-identifying-even-if-he-can-t-quite-get-it/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [If we - particularly, if we peremptorily attack North Korea - that without deliberation, that North Korea will reflexively unleash all the rocketry and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/if-we-particularly-if-we-peremptorily-attack-north-korea-that-without/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [First Russians objective was - as I said earlier - to sow discord, discontent, disruption. And their next objective was - because of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/first-russians-objective-was-as-i-said-earlier-to-sow-discord/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [I think, as a professional courtesy, when the president asks you to dinner, you go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/i-think-as-a-professional-courtesy-when-the-president-asks-you-to/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [The Russians succeeded, I believe, beyond their wildest expectations. Their first objective in the election was to sow discontent, discord, and disruption in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/the-russians-succeeded-i-believe-beyond-their-wildest-expectations/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [The president sets the tone. He creates the atmosphere, and that can be enlightened, progressive, or it can be intimidating, depending on what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/the-president-sets-the-tone-he-creates-the-atmosphere-and-that-can-be/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [When I visited North Korea in November 2014, is that Kim Jong-un is not merely the head of state of the DPRK - the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/when-i-visited-north-korea-in-november-2014-is-that-kim-jong-un-is/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [I don't think the intelligence community itself institutionally is losing its focus; it will continue to do its job; continue to be vigilant on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/i-don-t-think-the-intelligence-community-itself-institutionally-is/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [We must remain mindful of the potential impact of over-correcting the authorizations of the intelligence community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/we-must-remain-mindful-of-the-potential-impact-of-over-correcting-the/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [Obviously, what's happening in China right now is crucial, in the party congress, which as someone said has anointed a new emperor of China…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/obviously-what-s-happening-in-china-right-now-is-crucial-in-the-party/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) > [The two most capable nation state adversaries in the cyber domain are clearly Russia and, of course, China. And I do think Russia poses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-clapper/the-two-most-capable-nation-state-adversaries-in-the-cyber-domain-are/) [James R. Clapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) [Explore all 25 James R. Clapper quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-clapper/) ## More Counterintelligence quotes > [Since 1998, the Administration has begun to upgrade counterintelligence and security at U.S. weapons labs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bass/since-1998-the-administration-has-begun-to-upgrade/) [Charles Bass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bass/) > [The Intelligence Committee will also examine present counterintelligence programs for the Department of Energy, the National Laboratories, and the Department of Defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-intelligence-committee-will-also-examine-present/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When a foreign adversary knows that an American official has deceived or withheld vital information from our government, it creates a fundamental counterintelligence vulnerability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raja-krishnamoorthi/when-a-foreign-adversary-knows-that-an-american-official-has-deceived/) [Raja Krishnamoorthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raja-krishnamoorthi/) > [Understanding the Chinese counterintelligence threat better will help us respond to it more effectively. China is taking a multi-faceted approach, so we've got to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-a-wray/understanding-the-chinese-counterintelligence-threat-better-will-help/) [Christopher A. Wray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-a-wray/) > [Why did the Clinton Administration wait from 1995 to 1998 to tighten security and bolster counterintelligence at U.S. weapons labs?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-did-the-clinton-administration-wait-from-1995-to-1998-to-tighten/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [And then fourth, we have that essential group of people who track programs and budgets to ensure that they align with the needs of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-cambone/and-then-fourth-we-have-that-essential-group-of-people-who-track/) [Stephen Cambone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-cambone/) > [Every Librarian is a highly trained agent. An expert in intelligence, counterintelligence, Boolean searching, and hand-to-hand combat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mac-barnett/every-librarian-is-a-highly-trained-agent-an-expert-in-intelligence/) [Mac Barnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mac-barnett/) > [“Albright hadn't called him back yet, which pissed him off, but in the brief and fleeting moment when he put himself in Albright's shoes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-greaney/albright-hadn-t-called-him-back-yet-which-pissed-him-off-but-in-the/) [Mark Greaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-greaney/) > [US intelligence agencies will only use such data to meet specific security requirements: counterintelligence, counterterrorism, counterproliferation, cybersecurity, force protection for our troops and allies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/us-intelligence-agencies-will-only-use-such-data-to-meet-specific/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Rather than trying to find evidence of a crime, the FBI's counterintelligence goal is to identify, monitor and neutralize foreign intelligence activity in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/rather-than-trying-to-find-evidence-of-a-crime-the-fbi-s/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [Counterintelligence is, in effect, chasing ghosts, which is why the tools used to investigate foreign intelligence activity are secret, like human sources or electronic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/counterintelligence-is-in-effect-chasing-ghosts-which-is-why-the/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [But the technology was accessible, which suggests incompetence on the part of our counterintelligence community and the Clinton Administration, and may in fact rise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bass/but-the-technology-was-accessible-which-suggests-incompetence-on-the/) [Charles Bass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bass/) > [ “One of our primary aims in counterintelligence as it concerns the \[Black Panther Party\] is to keep this group isolated from the moderate black… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-our-primary-aims-in-counterintelligence-as-it-concerns-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The third group is focused on counterintelligence and security. I think the reason for that is fairly evident, in terms of vulnerabilities of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-cambone/the-third-group-is-focused-on-counterintelligence-and-security-i/) [Stephen Cambone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-cambone/) > [When I did counterintelligence investigations, they rarely saw the inside of a courtroom. That wasn't the goal of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/when-i-did-counterintelligence-investigations-they-rarely-saw-the/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) [Browse all 22 Counterintelligence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counterintelligence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The FBI is unique in that it straddles both law enforcement and counterintelligence.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "James R. 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