FBI National Security Branch gets leadership

The FBI last week announced the leadership of the agency's new National Security Branch.

The department will consolidate the FBI espionage, counterterrorism and intelligence efforts.

FBI official Gary Bald has been selected to lead the new service, with CIA counterterrorism official Philip Mudd serving as his deputy.

Bald now serves as executive assistant director for counterterrorism and counterintelligence, which included overseeing matters of counterproliferation. He has served in the FBI since 1977, according to an agency press release.

Mudd has served in a number of positions at the CIA since 1985, most recently as deputy head of the agency's Counterterrorism Center.