The Department of Justice’s “Weaponization Working Group” is now under heavy pressure to deliver results. President Donald Trump is reportedly frustrated with Attorney General Pam Bondi because he thinks she hasn’t been tough enough in going after his opponents.
The working group was created by Bondi over a year ago to find “abuses of the criminal justice process” against the president. Now the group is rushing to finish its first report. According to someone familiar with the group’s work, members are being told to work harder over the coming weeks and plan to meet daily.
NBC News reports that this rush is directly connected to the president’s disappointment. A White House official said President Trump has been complaining to his aides and allies, calling Bondi weak and not determined enough to pursue cases against his political enemies. Officials in the working group were criticized for not producing anything concrete yet.
The president still supports Bondi despite his complaints
Despite the criticism, a White House official said Bondi isn’t in danger of losing her job. President Trump publicly backed her, saying, “Pam is doing an excellent job. She has been my friend for many years. Tremendous progress is being made against radical left lunatics, who are good at only one thing, cheating in elections and the crimes they commit.”
The group was created following an executive order from President Trump called “Ending the Weaponization of the Government.” According to Bondi’s February 5, 2025, memo, the goal was to review the actions of those who pursued investigations the administration considered political. The president has been focused on putting his name on national landmarks and other priorities while waiting for results.
It just keeps getting more insane.
— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) September 20, 2025
Trump apparently tried to send a DM to Pam Bondi essentially telling her that his enemies need to be prosecuted. Instead he posted it on Truth Social, and it’s now been deleted. pic.twitter.com/URZq7mIvVq
The group has several big targets. The memo listed seven areas to focus on, including looking into former special counsel Jack Smith’s criminal investigations into President Trump. They’re also reviewing federal cooperation with the Manhattan District Attorney and the New York Attorney General, and examining alleged improper investigation tactics used in January 6 cases.
The group is also investigating a January 2023 FBI memo about a possible radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology. They’re looking into criminal prosecutions of “non-violent protest activity” under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances, or FACE, Act.
Many career federal prosecutors see deep irony in this. They believe the Trump administration is actually weaponizing the Department of Justice for political purposes. Stacey Young, a DOJ veteran who left in January 2025, said the group “certainly haven’t clocked any wins.” Young argued that President Trump has used the Department of Justice against political enemies “more than any administration in the department’s history.”
She thinks the administration is “running roughshod over the institutional norms that kept DOJ honest and unbiased,” creating a “dangerous and unprecedented situation.” The president has faced criticism for spreading false claims on social media while pursuing these investigations. Two cases, including one against former FBI Director James Comey, were thrown out because a federal judge ruled a key U.S. attorney appointment was invalid.
