The FBI is headed by a Director who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. On October 15, 1976, in reaction to the extraordinary 48-year term of J. Edgar Hoover, Congress passed Public Law 94-503, which limits the term of each FBI Director to ten years.
The current Director, Robert S. Mueller, III, was confirmed as Director of the FBI by the Senate on August 2, 2001. He took the oath of office on September 4, 2001. Director Mueller previously served as U.S. Attorney for the Districts of Northern California and Massachusetts and as Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. Director Mueller has experience in the private practice of law and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. For three years, he also served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Director Mueller holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University, a master’s degree in international relations from New York University, and a law degree from the University of Virginia.
Since its creation in 1908, the FBI has had ten Directors |
1908-1912
1912-1919
1919-1921
1921-1924
1924-1972
1973-1978
1978-1987
1987-1993
1993-2001
2001-Present |
Chief Examiner Stanley Finch
Chief A. Bruce Bielaski
Director William J. Flynn
Director William J. Burns
Director J. Edgar Hoover
Director Clarence M. Kelley
Director William H. Webster
Director William S. Sessions
Director Louis J. Freeh
Director Robert S. Mueller, III |
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