NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.
During a tense hearing before the House Appropriations Committee on Monday, Attorney General Pam Bondi faced fiery criticism from Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) over the Justice Department’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget. The session marked Bondi’s first congressional testimony since her January confirmation, but it quickly devolved into a confrontational back-and-forth.
Rep. DeLauro, known for her signature purple hair and vocal advocacy on gun control issues, vehemently opposed a proposed 26 percent cut to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) budget. She argued that slashing funds would severely undermine the agency’s ability to combat illegal gun trafficking, a cause she has long championed.
“How can you justify such a massive cut without inevitably weakening ATF’s ability to help our state and local law enforcement fight illegal gun trafficking?” DeLauro pressed, repeatedly interrupting Bondi’s attempts to explain.
The Connecticut lawmaker continued to grill Bondi, demanding specifics on the anticipated impact of the funding reduction. “How many ATF law enforcement officers and industry operations investigators do you anticipate will be lost to attrition as a result of this funding reduction you are proposing?” she challenged.
Attorney General Bondi maintained her composure, responding that the budget proposal includes a strategic reorganization of the ATF. She explained that this plan would actually put more agents on the streets by better integrating ATF operations with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), enhancing efficiency in tackling gun crimes.
Despite Bondi’s explanations, DeLauro appeared frustrated and insistent, signaling deep partisan divides over how best to address gun violence and allocate federal resources. The sharp exchange underscored the broader political battle surrounding federal law enforcement funding and priorities.
This heated hearing comes at a time when gun control remains a deeply polarizing topic on Capitol Hill. Democrats like DeLauro advocate for stronger enforcement and expanded agency budgets, while the Justice Department under Bondi seeks to reshape law enforcement efforts with budget-conscious reforms.
Watch the full clip to witness the spirited exchange between AG Bondi and Rep. DeLauro — a window into the high-stakes debate over America’s gun enforcement policies and the future of the ATF.
PLAY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6FQlaZRN1g
