AG Bondi: Feds taking sleeper cells threat 'very seriously'
Share and Follow


() U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi testified Wednesday afternoon on Capitol Hill, where she discussed the DOJ’s budget and the possible threat of Iranian sleeper cells.

Bondi told lawmakers during the hearing that all federal agencies would be taking the threats of sleeper cells attacking the U.S. “very seriously.” As attorney general, Bondi looks over several different law enforcement agencies, like the FBI, which is one of the agencies on the frontline defense of counterterrorism.

Senators grew concerned about the threat of sleeper cells following the U.S. strike on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities last weekend. Hundreds of FBI personnel were shifted from their work on counterterrorism to help with immigration and border control, leaving senators to wonder if the agency was prepared to take on the threat if anything happens.

“We have, thus far, arrested 1,500 illegal Iranians in our country,” Bondi said when asked by Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham about the threat. “Have they invaded our country? Absolutely.”

With the FBI personnel shifts, the proposed budget for the DOJ for the 2026 fiscal year cuts spending for the agency by $2.5 billion, a 7% cut in what the DOJ gets right now from Congress. There were concerns that if the funding is cut, then you face cuts from critical resources like cybersecurity, which drew attention as Iran has been known to perpetrate cyberattacks.

“We have a lot of threats. Domestic terrorism continues to be an issue, cybersecurity, and they’re looking at a lot of cuts to our cybersecurity force, and that’s the one persistent threat that we have against our country,” Democratic Michigan Sen. Gary Peters said. “Iranians are very clearly active in cyberthreats.”

The budget that has been proposed right now for the DOJ will likely increase once Congress gets to work on it.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Deputy ties necktie for driver during St. Tammany Parish stop

Officer assists driver by tying his necktie during a stop in St. Tammany Parish

A picture was taken of the shared moment and has since gone…
Frankie Montas' signature pitch showed Mets all they needed in solid return debut

Frankie Montas impresses with his key pitch in successful return game against the Mets

Frankie Montas is back in the majors. The experienced pitcher returned to…
Women's Tennis Association extends media rights deal with Tennis Channel through 2032

Women’s Tennis Association renews media rights contract with Tennis Channel until 2032

The Tennis Channel is extending its deal with the Women’s Tennis Association…
Fan ejected from Chicago's Rate Field after heckling player about late mother

Chicago’s Rate Field fan ejected for taunting player about late mother

CHICAGO A fan was ejected from Rate Field in Chicago for heckling…
US strikes set Iran's nuclear program back 'many years,' Israeli assessment finds

US strikes set Iran’s nuclear program back ‘many years,’ Israeli assessment finds

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! An Israeli assessment determined…
Jake Tapper unloads on Trump for 'ugly' attack on CNN over Iran report

Jake Tapper criticizes Trump for a negative comment about CNN regarding Iran news

Jake Tapper stood up for CNN’s coverage of Donald Trump’s attacks on…
Texas teen Karmelo Anthony murder indictment Austin Metcalf dad Jeff Metcalf says justice being served

Father of Austin Metcalf, Karmelo Anthony’s accused murderer, speaks out about the progress of the justice process

The father of Austin Metcalf, who was tragically killed, praised the grand…
The shocking move desperate Donald Trump will take next

What desperate action will Donald Trump take next?

Even by the volatile standards of the Middle East, this was a…