FBI Will Reorganize to Focus on Terrorism

The FBI will undergo a wholesale reorganization to better cope with threats against the United States, Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller announced.

Ashcroft said the changes will shift the "FBI structure, culture, and mission to one of preventing terrorism."

Mueller said that in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, "It became clearer than ever that we had to fundamentally change the way we do business... It requires a redesigned and refocused FBI."

The broad reorganization will include a new office of intelligence and strengthened oversight of counterterror investigations. It also will improve FBI ties with the CIA and overhaul the FBI's outdated computer systems.