Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed the Department of Justice to halt all federal funding to sanctuary cities, according to a directive issued Wednesday, shortly after she was sworn into office.
Bondi also ordered a review of all funding agreements with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide assistance to illegal immigrants, Fox News reported.
In addition, she will oversee Justice Department litigation against jurisdictions that obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts, with instructions to pursue prosecutions when necessary. Currently, there are an estimated 220 sanctuary cities in the United States.
This move is part of a series of directives Bondi issued upon taking office. She plans to work closely with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to dismantle transnational criminal organizations and cartels, which have been officially designated as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) under President Donald Trump’s executive order.
Another key priority for Bondi is addressing what she calls the “weaponization” of the legal system. She intends to establish the “Weaponizing Working Group,” which will conduct a comprehensive review of law enforcement operations over the past four years to identify instances of politically motivated prosecutions.
According to a memo obtained by Fox News, the group’s first task will be reviewing cases brought against Trump by Biden’s Special Counsel Jack Smith, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Bondi also emphasized that Justice Department attorneys must “aggressively enforce” federal laws while vigorously defending presidential policies in legal challenges. Her directive warns against DOJ officials allowing personal political views to interfere with their duties, stating that such actions “undermine the constitutional order and deprive the President of the benefit of his lawyers.”
Additionally, she will reassess cases where the previous Justice Department declined to seek the death penalty and plans to revoke any DOJ regulations that do not align with President Trump’s executive order on capital punishment.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.