The Justice Department has announced a significant deployment of FBI resources to address unresolved violent crimes in Indian territories, including cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous persons. This initiative, described as the most comprehensive national deployment of FBI assets to Indian Country to date, will see 60 FBI personnel involved in 90-day temporary assignments over six months.
These personnel will support field offices in multiple cities, including Albuquerque, Denver, and Detroit, among others, working in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and various Tribal law enforcement agencies. The integration of the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Missing and Murdered Unit will be crucial, utilizing advanced forensic tools to solve cases and hold perpetrators accountable. U.S. Attorney’s Offices are set to aggressively prosecute arising case referrals.
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the importance of addressing crime rates in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, saying, "By surging FBI resources and collaborating closely with US Attorneys and Tribal law enforcement to prosecute cases, the Department of Justice will help deliver the accountability that these communities deserve."
FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the federal commitment to pursuing violent criminals, stating, "The FBI will manhunt violent criminals on all lands – and Operation Not Forgotten ensures a surge in resources to locate violent offenders on Tribal lands and find those who have gone missing."
In the Eastern District of Washington, Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker expressed dedication to seeking justice for victims of violent crime, committing to work side-by-side with Tribal leaders and various law enforcement bodies.
Persistent crime levels continue to challenge Indian Country, where the FBI's Indian Country program had 4,300 active investigations at the start of Fiscal Year 2025. These involve incidents of death, child abuse, and domestic violence, among others. This new effort, Operation Not Forgotten, renews previous efforts established under former President Trump’s term and builds upon past achievements, including assisting in over 500 cases and contributing to several arrests and recoveries.
Finally, the Department of Justice’s MMIP Regional Outreach Program will bolster these efforts, placing dedicated attorneys and coordinators across the United States to respond to cases of missing or murdered Indigenous people. MMIP AUSA Bree R. Black Horse underscored the importance of these initiatives, noting they will improve public safety in Tribal communities.
