The CIA gathers and analyzes information about foreign governments, people, and events to inform U.S. national security decisions, and carries out covert action when the President directs it. It focuses on foreign threats rather than domestic law enforcement, and its Director reports to the Director of National Intelligence.
Created by Congress under the National Security Act of 1947 (Pub. L. 80-253, 61 Stat. 495 (July 26, 1947); codified at 50 U.S.C. ch. 44 (CIA established at 50 U.S.C. 3035 (NSA sec. 104); Director at 50 U.S.C. 3036)), it acts within the authority that statute grants. Its actions are subject to judicial review and to congressional oversight and funding.
