Reading Room Document
Whether the Attorney General may order the FBI to investigate allegations of non-criminal wrongdoing by Inspectors General
This document is a series of memorandums and letters discussing the statutory authority of the Attorney General to direct the FBI to conduct non-criminal investigations of the Inspectors General. The conclusion reached is that the Attorney General does not have the authority to do so, but the President does have the power to order the FBI to undertake such investigations. The document also presents options for seeking specific statutory authority or for the President to issue a directive for the FBI to carry out the proposed inquiries. The questions presented for review include the legal authority of the Attorney General, the potential involvement of the President, and the possibility of agency heads requesting FBI personnel for investigations.
The OLC's Opinions
Opinions published by the OLC, including those released in response to our FOIA lawsuit