Trump Calls on Republicans to Slash Funding for FBI, Justice Department

Former President Donald Trump has called upon Republicans in Congress to temporarily reduce funding for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI. He claims that Democrats have “weaponized” these agencies to interfere with elections.

Trump, running for the Republican nomination for the presidency in 2024, made a statement on Truth Social in all-caps and urged the GOP to “defund the DOJ and FBI until they come to their senses.”

“The Democrats have totally weaponized law enforcement in our country and are viciously using this abuse of power to interfere with our already under siege elections!” he wrote.

However, Trump’s proposal is unlikely to be taken seriously by Congress. Democrats control the Senate, while Republicans lead in the House of Representatives. It is also worth noting that Republicans have historically been supportive of law enforcement funding, and some have criticized Democrat proposals to “defund the police” in recent years.

During his term as president from 2017 to 2021, Trump supported funding increases for the DOJ. White House figures show that the DOJ’s budget rose by 4% during that period to $38.7 billion.

The FBI, an arm of the DOJ, is responsible for domestic intelligence and security. Trump appointed the current FBI director, Christopher Wray, after firing the previous chief, James Comey, in 2017.

Weaponization of Federal Bureaucracy

Since retaking control of the House of Representatives, Republicans have launched inquiries into alleged politicization of the federal law enforcement apparatus against political enemies.

Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, leading the first hearing of the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, recently suggested cutting funding for both the DOJ and the FBI.

During an interview with Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures” with Maria Bartiromo, Jordan hinted at limiting funds for federal agencies that failed to “stay out of the election process.”

“We control the power of the purse, and that’s—we’re going to have to look at the appropriations process and limit funds going to some of these agencies, particularly the ones engaged in the most egregious behavior,” Jordan said.

In response, Bartiromo asked Jordan if he was referring to the DOJ and FBI. “Yeah,” responded Jordan. “I’d really like for the government just to stay out of the election process.”

Regarding these recent political fights, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of weaponizing the U.S. justice system against Trump. Trump was indicted last week on 34 counts of falsifying business records.

“Alvin Bragg is attempting to interfere in our democratic process by invoking federal law to bring politicized charges against President Trump, admittedly using federal funds, while at the same time arguing that the people’s representatives in Congress lack jurisdiction to investigate this farce,” McCarthy said in a statement on Twitter. He added that the DA’s “weaponization of the federal justice process will be held accountable by Congress.”

James Comer, Chair of the House Oversight Committee, is expected to meet with McCarthy and Jordan to discuss a way forward on Bragg’s alleged use of federal funds, according to congressional reporter Annie Grayer.

The DOJ did not comment on Trump’s, Jordan’s, or McCarthy’s remarks.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that national and state level law enforcement targeted him for political purposes. This led to Republican-led congressional hearings to examine these alleged biased investigations.