Attorney General Pam Bondi faced bipartisan scrutiny during her congressional testimony on Monday regarding proposed budget cuts to the Justice Department in a time when tensions between the U.S. and Iran are escalating. Lawmakers expressed concern that reducing resources for the FBI and other key security programs could jeopardize national safety.

During the hearing before a House Appropriations subcommittee, Bondi discussed the DOJ's budget request for fiscal year 2026, which proposed a $2.5 billion cut, bringing the total to $33.6 billion. This reduction would lead to approximately 5,000 fewer positions across various programs, including those aimed at national security and counterterrorism.

The session took place in the shadow of recent aggressive moves by both nations, with President Donald Trump's decision to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities followed by a retaliatory missile strike by Iran on a U.S. military base in Qatar. This sequence of events has significantly heightened concerns about domestic security threats.

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) emphasized the changed circumstances since the budget was first drafted. "When the DOJ submitted their budget, the United States was a nation at peace, and now we're a nation at war," Gonzales stated. He urged that the department be equipped to proactively address threats rather than react post-incident.

Despite the urgent calls from Congress, Bondi remained noncommittal about revisiting the proposed budget cuts. She reassured the committee of the ongoing vigilance against threats, including potential Iranian sleeper cells, noting, "We are on high alert, and everyone is looking at that very closely."

Democrats including Reps. Glenn Ivey of Maryland and Frank Mrvan of Indiana also voiced their concerns, highlighting the risks of reducing FBI forces and underscoring the emerging threats to the U.S. infrastructure, such as potential attacks on the banking systems and electric grid.

In her testimony, Bondi affirmed, "It's a frightening time in which we live right now but President Trump is committed to keeping all Americans safe." Her statement underscored the administration's stance of achieving more with less amidst these challenging times.

The hearing concluded with several lawmakers urging a reevaluation of the DOJ's financial strategy to better prepare and equip the nation against the intensifying threats, reflecting a rare moment of bipartisan agreement on the significance of robust national security measures.