INV-042 · Money & ethics · Misuse of office
Justice Department's anti-corruption units cut back
Stage 2 of 5: Inquiry · Letters and records requests · Last development 9 May 2026
The Public Integrity Section, created after Watergate to prosecute corrupt officials of both parties, went from 36 full-time lawyers to two, and the rule that local prosecutors must consult it on certain campaign finance and election cases was suspended. Attorney General Bondi disbanded Task Force KleptoCapture (Russian oligarch assets) and the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force. An executive order paused enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which bans bribing foreign officials, and new guidelines now need senior approval for new cases. Deputy Attorney General Blanche disbanded the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team.
These are policy and staffing decisions that the administration has the authority to make. Earlier counts of the section's size differ (about 30 to 40 lawyers). Cases opened before 2025 were allowed to proceed.
- People
- Pam Bondi, Todd Blanche, Department of Justice, Public Integrity Section
- Agencies
- Justice Dept
- Reviewed by
- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Sen. Mazie Hirono and five colleagues
Timeline
NPR reports the section has dropped from about 40 prosecutors to two; its former acting chief says its cases "aren't being done". [6]
NOTUS reports the section is down from 36 lawyers to two and the consultation requirement is suspended in the Justice Manual. [5]
Blanche issues new FCPA guidelines requiring senior Criminal Division approval to open cases. [2]
Deputy Attorney General Blanche's memo disbands the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team: "The Department of Justice is not a digital assets regulator." [4]
AP reports prosecutors were told the Public Integrity Section would shrink to as few as five lawyers. Sen. Whitehouse writes to DOJ demanding answers (20 Mar). [3]
Executive Order 14209 pauses FCPA enforcement pending new guidance. [2]
Attorney General Bondi's memos disband Task Force KleptoCapture and the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force. [1]
Responses
- Justice Department (Mar 2025): Said leadership was "taking a broad look" at resources and no final decisions had been made. [3]
Who is acting on it
- Letter Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): Demanded answers on shrinking the Public Integrity Section (Mar 2025, No reply or result recorded yet)
Sources
Cite this case
Public Trust Tracker. "Justice Department's anti-corruption units cut back" (INV-042). Last updated 9 May 2026. https://publictrusttracker.org/case/inv-042-justice-departments-anti-corruption-units-cut-back/
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