FBI reportedly halts plan to move some training to Huntsville

An organization representing graduates of an elite FBI training academy says the bureau has halted plans to relocate some operations to Redstone Arsenal.

In a post Wednesday afternoon on X, the FBI National Academy Associates wrote, “We’re pleased to share that the FBI has decided not to move forward with a National Academy pilot in Huntsville, citing infrastructure limitations.”

The Quantico, Va.-based group is a nonprofit membership organization of 14,000 law enforcement professionals who have graduated from the FBI’s National Academy program.

The FBINAA did not immediately respond to a request for additional details. The FBI has not replied to emailed questions about the apparent cancelation of the pilot program.

Earlier this month, the Washington Post reported that FBI leadership was considering moving its National Academy from Quantico to Huntsville.

The National Academy is a 10-week training academy for local and international law enforcement officials and federal law enforcement agents who do not work for the FBI. According to the Post report, the move would not affect the bureau’s larger training operations for new agents or its laboratory division.

Alabama elected officials hailed the initial report. In a post on X, Sen. Tommy Tuberville called it, “great news” for both the FBI and for Alabama. Sen. Katie Britt and Rep. Dale Strong also applauded the prospect on social media.

Meanwhile, Virginia officials – including Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin — lined up against any potential move.

“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,” Youngkin told the Washington Post.

Both of Virginia’s Democratic senators questioned the costs associated with such a move.

“I expect Congress to be deeply skeptical of any plan to uproot the FBI’s National Academy from its longtime home at Quantico and relocate it to Huntsville,” Sen. Mark Warner said in a statement. “This move raises serious questions, starting with why such a relocation is even necessary, and at what cost?”

Sen. Tim Kaine said relocating the National Academy to Huntsville, “makes no sense and is not an efficient use of taxpayer dollars.”

The FBI has been ramping up its presence at Redstone Arsenal since 2018. Arsenal officials said at a December presentation in Huntsville that the bureau is likely to have the largest footprint of the base’s 65 tenant organizations by 2030.