President Trump is proposing cutting about $1.1 billion from the Department of Justice’s budget for next year.
The Justice Department released its budget proposal Tuesday and is asking for $27.7 billion for the 2018 fiscal year, which begins in October.
While down more than $1 billion from the 2017 budget request, the budget reflects the Justice Department’s ever-increasing emphasis on law enforcement and public safety, as well as immigration enforcement.
“The Department of Justice is dedicated to advancing the safety, the security, and the rights of all Americans — and the FY 2018 budget reflects the president’s commitment to keep America safe,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
“One of the Justice Department’s top priorities is to protect the United States from threats to our national security both foreign and domestic. The department will enforce our laws and put criminals behind bars. We will fight the scourge of drug abuse. And we will support the courageous men and women of law enforcement, as they work day and night to protect us. The president’s budget allows the Department to continue to put America first.”
Federal law enforcement — the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Drug Enforcement Administration — would receive $403 million.
The budget included $26 million to hire 300 new assistant U.S. attorneys. The total budget for U.S. attorneys is $61 million
The Executive Office of Immigration review is given $79 million, of which $75 million will be used for hiring 75 new immigration judges “and associated positions, boosting the department’s capacity for prompt, efficient and just hearings for those accused of violations of immigration law.”
The Justice Department also wants $198.5 million for “enhancements to reduce violent crime, combat the prescription drug and opioid epidemic” and to target gangs.
