Federal government agents or employees, especially law enforcement officers. Members of federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, or ATF.
Short for 'federals,' derived from 'federal' meaning relating to the central government. The informal term emerged in the early 20th century as federal law enforcement agencies expanded their role in American society.
The term 'feds' gained particular notoriety during Prohibition when federal agents enforced alcohol bans, often portrayed as outsiders interfering with local customs. This tension between federal authority and local autonomy remains embedded in American political discourse, making 'feds' a politically charged term depending on context.
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