Hawkeye Reporter

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) questioned Attorney General Pam Bondi during a Department of Justice oversight hearing in Washington. The discussion focused on the DOJ’s recent actions and oversight, particularly regarding the Biden administration’s alleged misuse of government power.

Grassley raised concerns about the targeting of eight Republican senators in the DOJ’s Arctic Frost investigation. He called for accountability and pressed Bondi on what steps the department is taking to address misconduct by DOJ and FBI personnel. Bondi stated she would provide a written follow-up on actions being taken to hold those responsible accountable.

Grassley asked Bondi if senior officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland, former FBI Director Christopher Wray, or the White House, were aware of the FBI’s targeting of Republican senators. He said, “Let’s be clear – either they knew and allowed it to happen, or they didn’t know. If they didn’t know, it points to lack of oversight of Jack Smith’s runaway case.”

Bondi responded, “Operation Arctic Frost was an unconstitutional, undemocratic abuse of power. During Arctic Frost, the FBI also placed 92 linked Republican individuals and Republican groups, such as Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point, on their list. This is the kind of conduct that shattered the American people’s faith in our government, as I said in my opening statement. We are ending this weaponization. Our FBI is targeting violent criminals, child predators and other law breakers, not sitting senators who happen to be from the wrong political party.”

Grassley also questioned Bondi about DOJ grants and efforts to improve the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program. He noted that many grants were partisan projects and asked for updates on grant reassessment.

Bondi explained that some grants had been mistakenly terminated and that a process was in place to correct this. She said, “All grant termination appeals will be individually considered for alignment with our current policies, which are strengthening law enforcement and protecting victims.” She added that out of 5,800 discretionary grants reviewed, only about seven percent were terminated.

The hearing also addressed concerns about resource allocation within the DOJ. Grassley rejected claims that reallocating resources to immigration enforcement negatively impacted law enforcement. Bondi stated that federal agents and U.S. Marshals are working with Homeland Security to remove illegal aliens who have committed violent crimes.

She cited success with a D.C.-based task force and said similar efforts are being expanded to other areas.

Regarding the PSOB program, Grassley referenced delays in processing claims for law enforcement and first responders injured or killed in the line of duty. He said applicants had reported disrespectful treatment by government officials.

Bondi replied, “…This Department of Justice will treat everyone with respect, and we will do everything in our power to help citizens of this country. Please reach out to us with any individual cases, and I will personally look at them for you.”