DETROIT — Paul M. Abbate, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division, was promoted to assistant director in charge of FBI Washington Field Office.

Abbate was handed the Detroit job in October 2013, succeeding Robert Foley, who stepped down after a year. Abbate has cultivated a close working relationship with the Arab American community. He regularly attended Arab organizations’ events, forging ties with leaders and activists. 

Abbate began his FBI career as a special agent in March 1996 and was assigned to the New York Field Office, where he worked in the Criminal Division and served as a member of the SWAT team.

In December 2003, Abbate transferred to the Counterterrorism Division, Iraq Unit as supervisory special agent, overseeing FBI counterterrorism operations and personnel deployments in Iraq.

In October 2005, he deployed to Iraq, serving as senior FBI liaison officer to the Department of Defense and leading a group of FBI personnel conducting counterterrorism investigations in theater.

From February 2006 to December 2009, Abbate served as supervisory special agent within the Newark Division Joint Terrorism Task Force.

In February 2008, he deployed to Afghanistan and served as the FBI deputy on-scene commander, leading FBI counterterrorism operations and personnel in theater, before returning to the Counterterrorism division, as assistant section chief. 

Abbate was appointed special agent in charge of the Washington Field Office, Counterterrorism Division, in October 2012. During this time, he served temporary duty as the on-scene commander in Libya.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, what community you are from or where you are from, we are focused on protecting you,” Abbate told The Arab American News in December 2013.