FBI National Security Branch

Leadership

Headed by an FBI executive assistant director, the NSB is responsible to the FBI director through the deputy director. As a unit of the FBI (which is a division of the United States Department of Justice), the NSB is ultimately responsible to the attorney general of the United States. In addition, the critical role the NSB plays within the United States Intelligence Community places it within the purview of the director of national intelligence.

Organization

The FBI created the National Security Branch (NSB) on September 12, 2005 in response to a presidential directive and as a result of the recommendations of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission to establish a "National Security Service" that combines the missions, capabilities, and resources of the FBI's counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and intelligence elements under the leadership of a senior FBI official.

The NSB was formed by the unification of the FBI's various national security and intelligence gathering units:

• FBI Counterterrorism Division
• FBI Counterintelligence Division
• FBI Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate
• Terrorist Screening Center
• High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group

FBI Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate

The Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate (WMDD) addresses and investigates emerging threats the United States faces from the use of weapons of mass destruction. WMDD specifically consolidates all relevant FBI assets under one comprehensive program capable of detecting, deterring, and dismantling WMD programs. In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Division's funding and manpower have significantly increased.

WMDD was established in July 2006.

The Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate is headed by assistant director, who reports to the executive assistant director of the FBI National Security Branch. The current assistant director is Brian Boetig, who was appointed by FBI director Christopher A. Wray on August 14, 2018. Previously, John G. Perren, who was appointed by then FBI director Robert Mueller on May 10, 2012, held the position.

The Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate has three sections:

• Intelligence and Analysis Section
• Countermeasures and Preparedness Section
• Investigations and Operations Section

Future

It is speculated that this will lead to the formation of "career paths" for FBI special agents; meaning that once a new agent has completed Special Agent Training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and has completed the mandatory probationary period, that he or she can choose to go into the National Security Branch, or go into the "Criminal" part of the Bureau and focus on crimes such as organized crime, narcotics, civil rights violations, fraud, and violent crime. Advocates of this new program say that this re-organization will help the fight against terrorism by making it less bureaucratic.

References

References

1. "National Security Branch Brochure".
2. "Larissa L. Knapp".
3. (2010-08-29). "WMD History".
4. [https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-announces-executive-appointments-10 FBI Announces Executive Appointments], FBI National Press Office, 2018-11-14
5. [https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/john-g.-perren-named-assistant-director-of-weapons-of-mass-destruction-directorate John G. Perren Named Assistant Director of Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate], FBI National Press Office, 2012-05-10