Republicans, Democrats on the Hill Both Express Concerns Over DOJ Budget Cuts
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi was grilled on proposed budget cuts to the Department of Justice (DOJ), as she faced lawmakers who said cutting DOJ funding at this moment jeopardizes national security.
The attorney general appeared before appropriations subcommittees this week in both the House and Senate.
In its initial budget proposal, the Trump Administration proposed a budget of $33.6 billion for DOJ for fiscal year (FY) 2026. That’s a cut of $2.5 billion, or seven percent from the current funding level.
National Security Concerns
Lawmakers from both parties noted that the budget was made before the U.S. dropped bombs on Iran’s nuclear sites, and they stated the cuts are unwise given the circumstances, with the possibility of rising threats against U.S. interests worldwide.
“When the DOJ submitted their budget, the United States was a nation at peace, and now we’re a nation at war,” said Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX). “I want us to, as much as we can, get ahead of it to give you the resources, the instruments that you need to go out and make sure that we’re preventing things from happening, not waiting until after the fact.”
The attorney general was non-committal on making additional changes to the budget.
“It’s a frightening time in which we live right now but President Trump is committed to keeping all Americans safe,” said Attorney General Bondi.
ATF Elimination, Merger with DEA Scrutinized
Also in focus in both the House and Senate hearings is a Trump Administration plan to eliminate the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and fold its operations into the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
“They’re working hand-in-hand on task forces already. Now, they will be working under one umbrella, and it’s going to be great for our country,” said Attorney General Bondi.
However, members of both parties were not so sure.
Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), who leads the Senate’s Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations subcommittee, said Kansas state and local law enforcement have expressed opposition to the ATF plan. Senator Moran is also concerned it may damage second amendment rights, by associating gun ownership with “truly evil things” such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and Mexican cartels.
Meanwhile, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), the top democrat on the committee, asked Attorney General Bondi on plans to cut grant funding.
In response, the attorney general stated, “If we did cut a grant that you care about, that is specific to your state, please contact me… I’ve turned on grants that were cut off.”
The House and Senate have not yet released their fiscal year 2026 funding bills that include DOJ funding.
Attorney Group Hails Hiring Plan
One group that is in support of at least part of the initial proposal is the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys (NAAUSA). The budget proposal adds 500 positions including 400 prosecutors. In a letter to the appropriators, NAAUSA President Steven Wasserman calls the move important but adds it doesn’t reverse a decline in federal prosecutors in recent years. He also urged Congress to level the field between AUSA and DOJ attorney compensation.
“Fairly compensating federal prosecutors so that they are paid the same as their attorney colleagues across DOJ who do the same or similar work on behalf of our citizens, would strengthen the rule of law, support national security, and is the right thing to do.” wrote NAAUSA’s Wasserman.