Law Enforcement and Protection of Individual Rights

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The Department is the nation’s principal law enforcement agency. Department personnel at its law enforcement components, prosecuting offices, and grantmaking components coordinate with and rely on federal, state, local, and Tribal agencies. Maintaining strong working relationships with these partners is critical to the Department’s success in pursuing its law enforcement mission.

While specific law enforcement priorities shift over time, opioids, particularly fentanyl, have consistently presented significant law enforcement challenges for the Department and the nation in recent years. Congress’s passage of the Halt Fentanyl Act in July 2025, which classified any substance that meets the definition of fentanyl related substance as Schedule I, was a big step forward; however, fentanyl precursors, pre-precursors, and pre-pre-precursors remain a challenge for the Department because they are used to manufacture fentanyl but are unregulated. Consequently, the Department must remain committed to seeking additional legislation on this issue and continue directing its resources to stemming the flow of opioids into the country to address the tragedies of the opioid epidemic through its Drug Enforcement Administration programs. Additionally, the Department needs to maintain its leadership role in combatting violent crime and child abuse and exploitation. The Department also faces a continued challenge in identifying and prosecuting fraud related to the $5 trillion distributed through pandemic relief programs.

The Department has access to a wide range of authorities for addressing criminal activity and enterprises. In addition to traditional tools such as compulsory process and confidential informants, technology advances in artificial intelligence and facial recognition enhance investigative capabilities but also expand risks to civil liberties. The Department must adapt its guidance for use of all its authorities so it is appropriately sensitive to individual rights and separation of powers, as highlighted in the DOJ OIG’s 2024 review of the Department’s methods used to obtain record of members of Congress, Congressional Staffers, and members of the news media.

Law enforcement operations are dangerous, and officers encounter myriad difficulties in carrying out their essential duties under trying conditions. However, it is essential to maintaining the public’s confidence in law enforcement and respect for the rule of law that law enforcement officers who exceed their legal authority be held accountable for their actions. The Department therefore faces the longstanding challenge of supporting law enforcement by providing it with the resources and authorities that it needs and holding accountable those who breach the public’s trust.