Change
of Mandate: 2001 - Present
On
September 4, 2001, former U.S. Attorney Robert
S. Mueller, III was sworn in as FBI Director (2001
to present) with a specific mandate to upgrade
the Bureau's information technology infrastructure,
to address records management issues, and to enhance
FBI foreign counterintelligence analysis and security
in the wake of the damage done by former Special
Agent and convicted spy Robert Hanssen.
Within
days of his entering on duty, however, the September
11 terrorist attacks were launched against New York
and Washington. Director Mueller led the FBI's massive
investigative efforts in partnership with all U.S.
law enforcement, the federal government, and allies
overseas. On October 26, 2001, President George W.
Bush signed into law the U.S. Patriot Act, which
granted new provisions to address the threat of terrorism,
and Director Mueller accordingly accepted on behalf
of the Bureau responsibility for protecting the American
people against future terrorist attacks. On May 29,
2002, the Attorney General issued revised investigative
guidelines to assist the Bureau's counterterrorism
efforts.
To
support the Bureau's change in mission and to meet
newly articulated strategic priorities, Director
Mueller called for a reengineering of FBI structure
and operations to closely focus the Bureau on prevention
of terrorist attacks, on countering foreign intelligence
operations against the U.S., and on addressing cybercrime-based
attacks and other high-technology crimes. In addition,
the Bureau remains dedicated to protecting civil
rights, combatting public corruption, organized crime,
white-collar crime, and major acts of violent crime.
The Bureau has also strengthened its support to federal,
county, municipal, and international law enforcement
partners and has dedicated itself to upgrading its
technological infrastructure to successfully meet
each of its priorities.
At
the start of the new millennium, the FBI stands dedicated
to its core values and "Bright Line" ethical
standards. Commitment to these values and standards
ensures that the FBI effectively carries out its
mission: Protect and defend the United States against
terrorist and foreign intelligence threats; uphold
and enforce the criminal laws of the United States;
and provide leadership and criminal justice services
to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies
and partners.