When the FBI Comes Calling…®

Director of National Intelligence

As the head of the Intelligence Community (IC), the DNI has multiple distinct authorities: (a) budget building, (b) budget execution, (c) personnel management, (d) tasking and analysis, (e) classification, (f) foreign liaison, (g) Presidential intelligence advisor.

With regard to budget building, the DNI is charged with developing and determining an annual budget for the IC, otherwise known as the National Intelligence Program (NIP). The budget is based upon collaboration with the heads of the various members of the IC. The heads of each IC member provides the director with a proposed budget and any other further information requested by the DNI, so that he may be capable of approving and incorporating it into the final NIP budget.

The second budgetary authority that the DNI holds is that of ensuring effective budget execution, which is to say that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), apportions whatever funds requested for NIP activities by the DNI. Once the funds are received, the DNI is responsible for allocating those funds to the heads of the agencies within the IC and is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of the funding for NIP activities. Of course, no NIP funds may at any time be reallocated or reprogrammed without the approval of the DNI, accept when acting in accordance with procedures prescribed by him. Working from the other direction also, the DNI is not empowered to transfer or preprogram any funds unless it: (a) is for a higher priority NIP activity than initially allocated, (b) supports an emergent need, improve a program, or enhance efficiency, and (c) does not involve any funds earmarked under the CIA Reserve for Contingencies or any such DNI reserve.

The DNI's third responsibility, that of personnel management and transference, though limited, allows the DNI, in consultation with the heads of the relevant IC agencies, to develop personnel policies and incentives for employment which would lead to the facilitation of community functions, with exceptions for those in uniformed service. Additionally, the DNI may, upon the approval of the Director of OMB and notification of Congress, transfer an unlimited number of personnel to the National Intelligence Center.

An additional authority held by the DNI is that of tasking and analysis, wherein he may establish the objectives and priorities for the IC, and directs the general tasking of collection, analysis, production, and dissemination of intelligence, which includes, inter alia, so-called "fifth function" or "special activities" found in the National Security Act of 1947. Working with his own staff, like the Civil Liberties Protection Officer, General Counsel, Director of Science and Technology, chief Counterintelligence Executive, and Inspector General, the DNI is also authorized to create any specialized national intelligence centers as he may determine necessary to fulfill NIP activities. Many of the sharing of intelligence activities however, go to the Program Manager, who is appointed by the President to ensure that all of the agencies "connect the dots."

Of course, the DNI also holds the right to determine, in accordance with Presidential decisions and directives and in consultation with the heads of the relevant agencies, some basic standards for classification of intelligence.

The DNI further holds the responsibility of acting as the primary foreign intelligence liaison, to coordinate and develop relationships with the world's major intelligence agencies and through various multilateral intelligence sharing constructions.

The final primary responsibility of the DNI is in acting as the President's chief intelligence advisor. Working in concert with the National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Homeland Security, the NDI provides the President with all intelligence information and facilitates the Presidential Daily Briefing.

Altogether, the DNI has a difficult, but unique position, congregating many of the previous responsibilities of the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) under the former IC.