Written by Mark Whitman.
Newly appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi wasted no time making major changes at the Department of Justice. On her first day in office, she ordered a freeze on federal funding to sanctuary cities, making it clear that the days of ignoring federal immigration laws are over.
She also directed the DOJ to examine financial agreements with organizations that provide services to illegal immigrants. The move is aimed at ensuring that federal tax dollars aren’t funding groups that undermine immigration enforcement.
But Bondi didn’t stop there. She instructed the DOJ to investigate cities and jurisdictions that have actively interfered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. If these sanctuary cities continue to block ICE from doing its job, the DOJ may take legal action.
A Renewed Focus on Destroying Criminal Cartels
Bondi’s approach to transnational crime marks a shift in priorities for the Justice Department. Instead of focusing on low-level offenders, she wants law enforcement to go after the criminal organizations behind human trafficking, drug smuggling, and violent crime.
She has also doubled down on efforts to eliminate MS-13 and other violent gangs. Under her directive, the Joint Task Force Vulcan, which targets MS-13, will be expanded. Additionally, another task force will focus on dismantling the Tren de Aragua, a dangerous Venezuelan gang gaining a foothold in the U.S.
The fentanyl crisis is also in her crosshairs. Bondi has tasked the DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy with identifying legislative solutions to crack down on the tools used to manufacture illegal pills. With fentanyl overdoses at record highs, her tough-on-crime stance signals a much-needed shift in policy.
A No-Nonsense Approach to DOJ Accountability
One of the most controversial aspects of Bondi’s memo involves accountability within the Justice Department itself. She made it clear that DOJ attorneys who refuse to back the administration’s policies or fail to do their jobs in good faith will face disciplinary action or even termination.
Her memo specifically warns against attorneys injecting their personal political beliefs into their work. The message is clear: DOJ lawyers are there to enforce the law, not undermine the administration because of political disagreements.
Bondi also lifted the ban on the death penalty that had been in place under the previous administration. Prosecutors are now encouraged to seek capital punishment in cases involving violent drug trafficking offenses. She even ordered a review of past cases where the death penalty wasn’t pursued, hinting that some decisions may be overturned.
Fighting the Weaponization of the Legal System
Bondi isn’t just focused on immigration and crime—she’s also taking aim at what she calls the “weaponization” of the legal system. She’s created a new “Weaponization Working Group” to investigate politically motivated prosecutions.
The group’s first order of business? Reviewing past investigations into Donald Trump, including those led by Jack Smith, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, and New York AG Letitia James. If there’s any evidence of political bias in these cases, expect legal pushback from the DOJ.
Our Take
Bondi’s first-day actions show she means business. Cutting off funding to sanctuary cities is a step toward restoring law and order, but it’s also likely to cause a political firestorm. Sanctuary city policies have allowed criminals to remain in the U.S. without consequences, and stopping the flow of federal dollars may force local leaders to reconsider their stance.
Her focus on criminal cartels and fentanyl production is another much-needed move. While previous administrations paid lip service to the issue, Bondi is prioritizing real enforcement efforts. Holding DOJ lawyers accountable is another positive step—too often, government employees act based on their own political biases rather than the law.
Critics will argue that her policies are too aggressive, but the reality is, crime is skyrocketing, drug overdoses are killing thousands, and the legal system has been hijacked for political purposes. If Bondi follows through on her promises, she could bring some much-needed accountability back to the DOJ.
