What is the primary responsibility of federal law enforcement?

The primary responsibility of federal law enforcement is to enforce violations of federal statutes. This encompasses a wide range of activities including investigating and prosecuting crimes that fall under federal jurisdiction such as drug trafficking, immigration offenses, terrorism, and white-collar crimes. Federal law enforcement agencies are empowered to handle matters that extend beyond the scope of state laws or local jurisdictions, ensuring national security and the enforcement of federal laws.

Federal law enforcement works on cases that have implications for federal interests or that cross state lines, distinguishing their role from that of state and local law enforcement, which primarily handle violations of state laws. This specialized jurisdiction allows federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA, and ATF to focus their resources and expertise on federal-level offenses that impact the broader community and national policies.