Reviewed by: Lisa Battles
NEW: FBI may relocate National Academy to Huntsville
Reading time: 3 minutes
The Federal Bureau of Investigation may move its National Academy from its current location in Quantico, Virginia, to Huntsville. While no final decision has been made, the move is part of an effort to reduce the agency’s presence in the Washington, D.C. area.
Here’s more:
FBI wants to increase presence at Redstone Arsenal
Talk of expanding FBI operations in Huntsville has been ongoing since Pres. Donald Trump began his second term, and recent reports from bureau officials point to an imminent move.
According to a report from The Washington Post, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is leading a relocation effort to decentralize the agency. Moving the National Academy to Huntsville would safeguard against potential attacks or disruptions, FBI officials say.
The FBI has operated out of Redstone Arsenal for more than 50 years. Currently, the agency seats more than 2,000 employees at Redstone and includes personnel from 20 of the FBI’s 30 sections.
The National Academy’s relocation to Huntsville would impact numerous facets of the local economy. Alabama leaders say that in addition to creating more job opportunities in Huntsville, the move would boost the housing market, enhance infrastructure developments and stimulate industrial growth.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency already plans to move up to 1,500 employees to Huntsville in the next three years.
“Because again, we are not removing them out of Washington D.C., to remove them. We need a place that allows their skills to be met, and it’s not in Washington D.C., and tragically, it’s not Quantico either.”
Kash Patel, FBI Director
Virginia officials push back on move
Multiple Virginia officials have opposed the move for a variety of reasons, with most noting significant upgrades recently made at the Quantico facility.
“Quantico remains the best place to train America’s FBI. I am speaking with leadership at the FBI and DOJ to make sure Quantico remains the centerpiece of FBI training now and in the future.”
Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) has called for congressional intervention and oversight to determine motives behind the move and how much it will cost.
Even if the National Academy is moved to Huntsville, the bureau’s training program for new hires and its Laboratory Division would remain in Quantico.
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