Counterintelligence refers to efforts to detect and counter foreign espionage and to prevent insider leaks; hunting foreign spies is primarily a function of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, while preventing insider leaks is handled by various U.S. intelligence agencies.
October 29, 2025
high
definition
Describes the scope and typical division of responsibilities within U.S. counterintelligence activities.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has broad oversight authority over U.S. intelligence agencies, including agencies dedicated to counterintelligence, but it exercises relatively limited direct supervision over the Federal Bureau of Investigation's counterintelligence personnel.
October 29, 2025
high
organizational
Describes institutional oversight relationships among U.S. intelligence organizations.
A 2023 report by Special Counsel John Durham concluded that intelligence agencies lacked 'actual evidence of collusion' to justify launching the Trump-Russia investigation.
January 01, 2023
high
temporal
Finding from the final report authored by Special Counsel John Durham.
The 2019 report by Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III concluded that it did not establish that the Trump campaign criminally conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.
April 18, 2019
high
temporal
Core conclusion from the Special Counsel Robert Mueller report.
Questions about whether employees or applicants have leaked information to the press have been commonplace in screening and security clearance adjudication processes for U.S. intelligence community personnel.
high
security_clearance_practice
Leake-related questions are part of standard security screening practices for intelligence community hires and employees.
Sharing classified information with unauthorized individuals can reveal details about intelligence sources and methods used by the U.S. government to collect intelligence.
high
security
General risk associated with unauthorized disclosure of classified material.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) conducts counter-terrorism activities.
high
organizational-function
Describes a core operational activity of the U.S. foreign intelligence agency.