Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a directive on her first day in office to disband the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force and limit penalties for violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The order reallocates resources to other priorities and focuses on civil enforcement rather than criminal charges. Bondi also disbanded efforts to seize assets of Russian oligarchs and reassigned personnel to target drug cartels. Former Justice Department and FBI officials expressed shock at the order, questioning Bondi’s commitment to combat foreign influence operations.
The FBI task force was created in 2017 under the Trump administration to address foreign disinformation campaigns. Former FBI Director Christopher Wray warned of the dangers of covert foreign influence, especially by China and Russia. However, the recent order disbanding the task force has raised concerns about the government’s ability to counter foreign malign influence.
The directive also relates to the prosecution of Foreign Agents Registration Act violations, which has drawn criticism from both Trump supporters and Republicans. The act requires individuals engaged in political activities on behalf of foreign nations to disclose their relationship publicly. Prosecutions under this law have targeted both Democrats and Republicans, sparking debate and skepticism among conservatives. Overall, the order has created uncertainty about the government’s ability to combat foreign influence and protect American democracy.
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