Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Justice.

Senate Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

2025-06-25

Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The meeting focuses on the Department of Justice's Fiscal Year 2026 budget request, which proposes a significant reduction in funding and positions for various agencies and programs [ 00:19:49-00:20:21 ] . Attorney General Pamela Bondi presents and defends the budget, emphasizing efficiency and a return to the department's core mission of public safety . Senators express concerns about the depth of cuts, the impact on law enforcement capabilities, and the integrity of the department [ 00:20:31-00:20:37 ] .

Themes

Budget Cuts and Reorganization

The proposed DOJ budget for FY2026 is $33.6 billion, a 7% reduction from FY25, leading to approximately 5,100 fewer positions [ 00:19:49-00:20:21 ] . While Attorney General Bondi champions efforts to streamline the department and find savings, some senators voiced strong concerns about cuts to law enforcement agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and vital grant programs [ 00:20:25-00:20:45 ] . A significant point of contention is the proposal to merge the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) into the DEA, which raises concerns from state and local law enforcement and Second Amendment advocates about associating firearms with criminal activities and potential dilution of functions [ 00:21:53-00:22:08 ] [ 02:03:13-02:03:14 ]

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. Bondi clarified that this is a reorganization to put agencies under one umbrella, not a full merger, and aims to get more agents on the street .

Combating Crime and Threats

A primary focus of the hearing is the DOJ's role in combating drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, and dismantling cartels and gangs . Attorney General Bondi highlights successful operations, including large fentanyl busts and arrests of child predators and gang members . Senators express concerns about foreign adversaries like Iran, China, and Russia posing threats, including cyberattacks and foreign influence [ 00:47:59-00:48:00 ]

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[ 00:59:52-01:00:08 ]

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. There's also discussion about the rise of antisemitism and hate crimes, with the Attorney General affirming efforts to prosecute such incidents and protect all religious communities [ 01:33:45 ]

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DOJ Integrity and Lawfulness

Several senators question the DOJ's independence and adherence to the rule of law under the current administration . Senator Van Hollen and Senator Murray raise concerns about the firing of career civil servants and allegations of attorneys being pressured to make untruthful statements in court . Attorney General Bondi defends her staff and states that zealous advocacy must always be ethical and honest, while declining to discuss specific pending litigation [ 00:44:24-00:44:36 ]

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[ 00:44:53-00:45:13 ]

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. Questions are also raised about potential foreign influence on the presidency through financial dealings, which Bondi largely deflects by redirecting to public safety and border security issues [ 01:41:47-01:41:55 ]

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Grant Funding and Victims' Services

Concerns are voiced regarding significant cuts to DOJ grant programs, particularly the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), which faces a nearly 30% reduction [ 00:33:31-00:33:33 ]

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. Senator Collins and Senator Murray highlight the critical role these programs play in supporting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and rural communities [ 00:33:24-00:33:25 ]

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[ 01:13:58-01:13:58 ]

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. Senators also express alarm over the termination of hundreds of previously awarded grants and delays in posting new funding opportunities . Attorney General Bondi indicates that some grants were cut due to perceived waste or being related to "DEI" initiatives, but she offers to personally review specific cases and promises that notices of funding will be issued soon [ 02:10:43-02:11:07 ]

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Immigration Enforcement and Border Security

Immigration enforcement is a key priority for the DOJ, with discussions centered on securing borders and prosecuting immigration-related offenses . Bondi emphasizes efforts to dismantle human trafficking and smuggling networks, and to remove illegal aliens, particularly those committing crimes . The budget includes significant funding for immigration enforcement and judicial support to address backlogs in asylum cases [ 01:33:03-01:33:16 ]

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. Concerns are raised about the reallocation of FBI agents and other federal personnel from national security missions to immigration duties [ 00:59:47-01:00:08 ]

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. However, Bondi asserts that national security will be enhanced, not compromised, by integrating immigration enforcement with broader efforts against foreign threats .

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting is generally contentious and assertive, particularly during exchanges between the Attorney General and Democratic senators . While there are moments of mutual respect and agreement on the importance of public safety, significant ideological divides are evident on budgetary priorities, the DOJ's role in upholding the law, and immigration policy [ 00:20:25-00:20:37 ] [ 01:24:49-01:25:00 ]

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. Attorney General Bondi maintains a firm and direct posture, often deflecting critical questions about the administration's actions by pivoting to successes in law enforcement and border security, or asserting inability to discuss pending litigation [ 00:43:12-00:43:22 ]

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[ 01:42:10-01:42:35 ]

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. Republican senators generally express strong support for Bondi's efforts and the administration's agenda, particularly on immigration and combating crime .

Participants

Transcript

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Some related agencies will be called to order for its third budget hearing of fiscal year 2026 in our appropriation process.  This hearing will consider the President's budget request for the United States Department of Justice.  We welcome the witness, United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi.   who was confirmed earlier this year as the 87th United States Attorney General.  The President has requested $33.6 billion for the Department of Justice for FY2026.  This is a reduction of $2.5 billion, or 7%, from FY25 enacted levels.  This cut entails the reduction of approximately 5,100 positions, including attorneys, special agents, deputy U.S.  Marshals, and professional staff.   I commend the Attorney General for efforts to streamline the department, achieve operational efficiencies, and find savings for the American taxpayer.  Even having said that, though, I am concerned by the depth of some of the proposed cuts.  This includes, most importantly, cuts to DOJ law enforcement agencies and cuts in the DOJ grant programs that support state and local law enforcement.   For example, the request proposes cutting funding from the Drug Enforcement Administration by $111 million and further proposes a $100 million in prior year appropriations.  The benefits of our investments in DEA speak for themselves because just last month the Department struck a decisive blow against the Sonola cartel and executed the largest fentanyl bust in DEA history.   I don't believe any of us want to forego incredible work being done by the DEA as well as all of the department's law enforcement components.  The budget further proposes a number of reorganizations within the department consistent with its agency's reorganization and reduction plan.  I'm open to agency reorganization proposals.  Everyone on this dais knows how hard they can be to achieve, but that should not stop us from finding ways to streamline the federal government and save taxpayer dollars.
Some of the proposals will require further deliberation.  I have heard concerns with the proposal to merge the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms into the DEA.  These concerns come from state and local law enforcement officials in my home state who depend upon ATF's NIBIN network to develop critical intelligence on crime guns.  I've also heard serious concerns from Second Amendment advocates, and I believe it has been   fairly raised about the propriety of associating firearms, a constitutionally protected right, with the truly evil things such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and Mexican cartels.  General Bondi, it is my hope that the department will work collaboratively with us, this subcommittee, to evaluate the reorganization proposals   and where appropriate, make changes.  General Bondi, I thank you for your testimony today.  I look forward to hearing what you have to say in response to my Senate colleagues' questions.  And at the moment, I recognize Senator Van Hollen for his opening statement.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  Welcome, Attorney General Bondi.  The Department of Justice is supposed to play a vital role in defending our Constitution, upholding the rule of law, and keeping the American people safe.   Unfortunately, it's currently failing on all these fronts, and this budget request will make a bad situation even worse.  We are witnessing a level of lawlessness from this administration that is unprecedented in scale and scope.  Indeed, when asked, President Trump said he didn't know whether he was required to comply with the Constitution of the United States.  Instead of defending the rule of law, DOJ attorneys are being deployed to aid and abet in lawbreaking.   Like just yesterday, Madam Attorney General, when the administration took, I believe, the unprecedented step of suing all the Maryland federal district court judges because of actions they took to protect habeas corpus and the constitutional right of due process.  To date, the administration has faced nearly 300 legal challenges in federal courts.  There are currently in place a huge number of preliminary injunctions and temporary restraining orders.   issued by judges appointed by presidents of both parties, including appointed by President Trump.  At the same time, patriotic career civil servants have been fired for upholding their constitutional oaths.  In January, the then acting Attorney General fired more than a dozen prosecutors simply because they had been assigned to work with Special Counsel Jack Smith, and dozens of others have also been wrongfully terminated.   And you picked up where the acting Attorney General left off when you fired the pardon attorney after she declined to restore the gun rights to a close friend of President Trump with a domestic violence conviction.  Perhaps most troubling, Madam Attorney General, is you have fired attorneys like the acting Deputy Director of the Office of Immigration Litigation simply for telling the truth in court.
As he said yesterday, the whistleblower, in a complaint filed, quote, I didn't sign up to lie.  That sends a terrible message to every DOJ attorney who wants to both do their job and uphold their professional ethics and integrity.  While spending taxpayer resources to defend this law breaking,   The administration has proposed a budget that is a gift to our foreign adversaries, to the drug cartels, and to illegal firearms traffickers.  Why do I say that?  Let's look at each of those categories.  On your first day, you disbanded the FBI Foreign Influence Task Force Office, which was established to combat secret malign influence campaigns by China, Russia, and other adversaries.

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