Role of the Director of National Intelligence

The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) oversees all U.S. intelligence agencies, a role established in response to failures highlighted by the 9/11 attacks. This position is critical as it provides the President with daily briefings on national security issues, which helps set the agenda for the government's response. The DNI acts as a coordinator among the 18 various intelligence agencies, such as the CIA and FBI, ensuring they communicate effectively and share essential information. The importance of this role is underscored by the expectation that the DNI will have extensive background knowledge and experience in national security.