Mueller Proposes New Intelligence Service Within FBI

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FBI Director Robert Mueller, fighting calls for an independent domestic intelligence agency, proposed Thursday that the bureau create its own service to gather information to combat terrorism.
The division would be largely independent from the rest of the FBI and have its own budget. It would include all the bureau's intelligence-gathering resources, from translators to surveillance activities. The chief would report directly to Mueller.

Mueller told a House Appropriations subcommittee that an independent domestic spy agency would have to duplicate much of the expertise already in the FBI and harm what's become the bureau's top priority: fighting terrorism.

"Any reform proposal must recognize that intelligence is fundamental to successful FBI operations," he said. "Intelligence functions are woven throughout the fabric of the bureau, and any changes to this integrated approach would be counterproductive."
Congressional reaction has been mixed on the need for a domestic spy agency.

The chairman of the subcommittee, Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., asked Mueller in February to consider creation of the separate entity within the FBI. Wolf said he disagreed with those who would create a separate agency similar to the British intelligence service.


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