What is the role of the FBI?

• A. To oversee local police departments.
• B. To enforce federal laws across state lines.
• C. To prosecute criminals in federal court.
• D. To enforce federal laws within a single state only.

Answer: (B)

The FBI’s main function is to investigate and enforce federal laws across the country, especially when crimes cross state lines or involve federal interests. The best choice reflects that nationwide federal enforcement scope, including investigations into things like interstate drug trafficking, cybercrime, terrorism, and other offenses that transcend a single state. The FBI operates under the Department of Justice and works to gather evidence and build cases, but prosecutions are handled by federal prosecutors in U.S. Attorney’s Offices, not by the FBI itself. It also doesn’t oversee local police departments, and its authority isn’t limited to one state—the agency’s work often spans multiple states and even international borders.