House Republicans Propose Cuts to DOJ, FBI, and Commerce Department Budgets

House Republicans have introduced a fiscal 2025 spending bill proposing cuts to the budgets of the Justice Department, FBI, and Commerce Department, with a total budget reduction of roughly 2%. The bill notably cuts nearly $1 billion from the Justice Department and $367.7 million from the FBI, countering President Biden's higher budget requests. The legislation is part of a broader GOP effort to challenge what they describe as the 'weaponization' of federal agencies, particularly in response to the prosecutions of former President Donald Trump. Attorney General Merrick Garland has criticized the proposed cuts, arguing they would hinder efforts to reduce violent crime. Despite pressure from some GOP members to defund Special Counsel Jack Smith's prosecutions related to Trump, the bill does not include such provisions. The proposed spending bill is expected to face significant opposition from Senate Democrats and the White House.