Oversight Hearing – Department of Justice

This was an oversight hearing held by the House Appropriations Committee on June 3, 2026, featuring testimony from Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch regarding the Department of Justice's (DOJ) fiscal year 2027 budget and priorities. The hearing focused heavily on DOJ's budget request of $41.2 billion, a 13% increase over the prior year, emphasizing violent crime reduction, combating fentanyl trafficking, immigration enforcement, and fraud prevention. The Acting Attorney General detailed efforts to dismantle drug cartels, reduce violent crime through surge operations, and establish a National Fraud Enforcement Division with funding for 100 new attorneys. The hearing also addressed stalled projects such as a federal prison in Kentucky and delays in grant programs, with committee members pressing for improved communication and timely use of appropriated funds. Controversial topics included the proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, which the DOJ stated it would not move forward with, and a settlement granting retroactive immunity to the president and his family from tax audits, which raised conflict of interest concerns. Members questioned DOJ's handling of high-profile cases, transparency in releasing Epstein-related files, and enforcement of federal laws on hate crimes, gun regulations, and immigration. The hearing included robust debate over DOJ policies, budget allocations, and the department's commitment to prosecuting fraud and protecting public safety.