Attorney General Pam Bondy’s Budget Hearing

On Monday, Attorney General Pam Bondy presented the Department of Justice’s 2026 budget, marking her first appearance in Congress since her confirmation in January. The session turned tumultuous quickly, especially as Rep. Rosa Delauro (D-CT) interrupted Bondy repeatedly, accusing her of undermining the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agency.

Delauro criticized the proposed budget, arguing it would hinder efforts to combat gun trafficking due to a 26% reduction in funding and anticipated personnel cuts. However, as per information shared by senior DOJ officials, the ATF has actually increased its firearm and ammunition seizures compared to the previous year, contradicting Delauro’s claims.

Exclusive data from the DOJ revealed that between January 20th and June 21st, 2025, the ATF confiscated 14,579 firearms—a notable 33% rise from last year. Among these, 8,670 were linked to trafficking incidents, including 2,011 connected to Mexico. Additionally, the agency seized 833,414 rounds of ammunition, representing a 41% increase from the previous year.

One senior DOJ official remarked, “Rep. Delauro seems unprepared for this hearing and lacks understanding of the ATF’s current capabilities.” The official noted that the ATF is playing an essential role in disrupting international human trafficking networks by seizing illegal firearms at an escalated rate compared to past administrations.

Delauro pressed on the significant proposed cuts to ATF funding, questioning how such reductions could be justified without compromising the agency’s assistance to state and local law enforcement against illegal gun trafficking. Her inquiry was met with Bondy’s attempt to clarify that the ATF would be reorganizing to collaborate more effectively with the DEA by concentrating agents on fewer streets. However, Delauro insisted on simple “yes or no” answers, leading to heightened tensions during the exchange.

Despite the heated atmosphere, Bondy remarked, “I will not go to gun owners’ doors in the middle of the night as an ATF agent.” She clarified that the reorganization aims to enhance public safety and address violent crime by unifying efforts between the two federal agencies with similar goals. Bondy also refuted Delauro’s assertions about agent layoffs, saying, “It’s going to be exhausting. We’re not letting agents go. They want to work.”