Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General, said in her opening remarks to the Senate Judiciary Committee that the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have not been affected by the government shutdown and remain fully operational.
"I want to begin by confirming that the Department of Justice is committed to ensuring the American people are safe, even as the government remains shut down. Our law enforcement capacity remains fully active," said Bondi.
Bondi testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 7, 2025, addressing several issues including the government shutdown, the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, and immigration enforcement.
According to the administration, law enforcement agents, U.S. attorneys, and other federal law enforcement personnel under DOJ employment are exempt from the government shutdown and continue their duties in prosecuting crimes and conducting criminal investigations.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that during Bondi's first nine months as Attorney General, the DOJ has arrested 23,000 violent criminals—a 91% increase over last year—arrested more than 1,500 child predators, seized 1,600 kilograms of fentanyl, and disrupted 1,600 gangs and other criminal enterprises.
The government shutdown commenced on October 1 when Congress failed to reach an agreement on a continuing resolution to fund the government.
Pam Bondi is serving as the 87th Attorney General of the United States. Previously, she was Florida's Attorney General from 2011 to 2019. Bondi has also been a member of the Board of Trustees for the Kennedy Center and held leadership roles at the America First Policy Institute.
