The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States. Generally acting through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Attorney General has the lead responsibility for criminal investigations of terrorist acts or terrorist threats by individuals or groups inside the United States or directed at U.S. citizens or institutions abroad, as well as for coordinating activities of the other members of the law enforcement community to detect, prevent, and disrupt terrorist attacks against the United States. This includes actions that are based on specific intelligence or law enforcement information. In addition, the Attorney General approves requests submitted by State Governors pursuant to the Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Act for personnel and other Federal law enforcement support during incidents. The Attorney General also enforces Federal civil rights laws and will provide expertise to ensure that these laws are appropriately addressed. (DHS, NRF, Jan 2008, 25)