Trump’s Justice Department ends Biden-era task force aimed at seizing assets of Russian oligarchs

The Trump administration’s Justice Department has disbanded a Biden-era program aimed at seizing the assets of Russian oligarchs as a means to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Attorney General Pam Bondi said that resources will now focus on eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations.

The Justice Department shifted its enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act to focus on traditional espionage rather than registration violations.

Despite the disbanding, officials like Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have called for stronger sanctions on Russian oil, stating the Biden administration’s approach was not “muscular” enough.