FYs 2026-2030 Strategic Plan

Context ~ The Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community published in March 2026 reports the U.S. as being in a heightened threat environment, driven by lone-actor attacks, online radicalization, and foreign-inspired violence. International and domestic violent extremists have developed an extensive presence on the internet through messaging platforms and online images, videos, and publications. The United States must confront constant threats from adversaries who seek to do harm and exploit resources through terrorism, espionage, cyberattacks, illicit narcotics, and threats from weapons of mass destruction. Transnational criminal organizations, some of which have ties to terrorist actors, present a significant threat to law enforcement, national security, and the borders. The Department is committed to deterring and disrupting acts of terrorism to protect national security. Through strong partnerships with law enforcement and the intelligence community, the Department will identify and investigate national security threats prior to execution and vigorously prosecute offenders. Strategies ~ (a) Deter, disrupt, and prosecute terrorist threats. (b) Strengthen coordination between federal, state, local, and international counterterrorism partners. (c) Deter, disrupt, and prosecute those who seek to commit espionage, conduct unauthorized disclosures of classified information, steal intellectual property, or circumvent America's export controls and sanctions. (d) Deter, disrupt, and prosecute cyber threats against national security, both domestic and transnational. Key Performance Indicators ~ (1) Percent of counterterrorism, counterintelligence, or export control matters timely addressed (NSD). (2) Number of participants who successfully completed State and Local Anti-Terrorism (SLAT) Training (OJP). (3) Number of disrupt and dismantle accomplishments claimed against foreign adversaries (FBI). (4) Number of disruptive actions enabled against national security threats (NSD). Enterprise Risk Themes ~ National Security; Emergence of New Security Vulnerabilities; Threats to Democratic Institutions.

Context ~ Since the beginning of this Administration, the Department has made significant progress in reducing violent crime across the country, but the work is not complete. Americans continue to experience violent crime, particularly homicide, at rates several times higher than other developed nations, and several cities suffer from higher violent crime rates than the national average. DOJ leverages intelligence and tips to identify where to surge resources, which types of crime to prioritize, and which criminal organizations are the most significant. The Department works with international, federal, state, local, and tribal partners to reduce violent crime in communities. Combatting violent crime in Indian Country is a priority, as well as surging to locations with high crime rates or towards certain types of offenders. Foreign gangs, cartels, and other transnational criminal organizations often combine narcotics trafficking, firearms trafficking, money laundering, extortion, human and natural resource trafficking, human smuggling, kidnapping, and homicide within the same criminal enterprise. DOJ will protect judges, witnesses, law enforcement, and others from threats of violence. Strategies ~ (a) Target the most significant regional, national, and international organized crime groups and violent gangs for disruption and dismantlement. (b) Leverage intelligence to surge resources towards violent crime and to communities with the highest crime rate. (c) Enhance partnerships with international, federal, state, local, and tribal partners, including through enforcement, training, outreach, and grant programs to strengthen law enforcement. (d) Protect judges, witnesses, law enforcement, and others from threats of violence. Key Performance Indicators ~ (1) Percent of federal violent crime defendants' cases favorably resolved (CRM/CRT/USAO). (2) Number of disrupt and dismantle accomplishments on violent crime threats (FBI). (3) Number of illegal firearms seized or recovered (ATF). (4) Number of state and local law enforcement personnel supported through federal funding (COPS). (5) Number of assaults against protected persons (USMS). Enterprise Risk Themes ~ Violent Crime and Public Safety; External Drivers of Crime; National Security.

Context ~ The illegal drug trade is organized, transnational, multijurisdictional, and deeply integrated with money laundering, weapons trafficking, human smuggling, and other criminal activity. Drug cartels generate billions of dollars annually from U.S. drug sales, and the U.S. remains the largest drug market globally; these networks cost the country more than $700 billion annually. Approximately 70 percent of overdose deaths involve synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, making it the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45. The Department will dismantle the Mexican drug trafficking organizations, focusing on the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels as the engine behind the fentanyl crisis, and will prioritize supply chains and pursue border barriers, money launderers, and illicit finance related to drug trafficking. In 2025, Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs) were implemented to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations in the United States; the Department will leverage HSTFs as an integrated, interagency platform to surge resources against transnational cartel and drug-trafficking networks. Strategies ~ (a) Leverage an integrated, interagency platform to disrupt and dismantle national and international drug trafficking organizations by focusing on the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels. (b) Combine enforcement, border barriers integrated with technology, intelligence, sanctions, and international collaboration to shut down drug supply routes including cyber and dark web marketplaces. (c) Target illicit finance and cryptocurrency and seize narcotics, proceeds, and weapons. Key Performance Indicators ~ (1) Number of disruptions or dismantlements of priority cartel-affiliated organizations (DEA). (2) Number of disruptions or dismantlements in HSTF-designated drug-related transnational organized crime (TOC) investigations (HSTF). (3) Number of firearms trafficking cases referred for prosecution (ATF). Agency Priority Goal ~ Combat the Fentanyl Crisis: By September 30, 2027, DOJ will execute 800 disruptions or dismantlements of priority cartel-affiliated organizations, focusing on the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG, and, as part of the HSTF, carry out 276 disruptions or dismantlements of transnational criminal organizations in HSTF-designated investigations related to fentanyl. Enterprise Risk Themes ~ External Drivers of Crime; Violent Crime and Public Safety; Coordination and Governance Challenges. Note ~ HSTF refers to the Homeland Security Task Force, an interagency platform rather than a DOJ component.

Context ~ DOJ immigration objectives span border security, immigration enforcement, and efforts to disrupt human smuggling and human trafficking. The central challenge is that cartels, gangs, smugglers, traffickers, and document facilitators operate across jurisdictions and mission lines, moving people, money, fraudulent documents, and contraband through sophisticated pipelines that are difficult for any single agency to dismantle. DOJ continues to face a substantial caseload for immigration cases (approximately 3.6 million) and significant costs to house qualifying criminal aliens. DOJ will strengthen interagency coordination to enhance border-security outcomes, including information sharing, operational planning, border barriers, deconfliction, and prosecution support. DOJ will use all legal authorities to support the Department of Homeland Security in immigration and removal initiatives, including efficiently adjudicating immigration cases, defending challenges to immigration detention facilities, pursuing denaturalization cases, obtaining favorable removal orders and detention decisions, and using all available criminal statutes to combat illegal immigration and related human trafficking crimes. DOJ will disrupt cross-border smuggling and trafficking networks through intelligence-driven, multi-agency enforcement and prosecute offenders using the most serious, readily provable offenses available. Strategies ~ (a) Strengthen interagency coordination to enhance border security outcomes. (b) Use all legal authorities to enforce federal immigration laws fairly. (c) Disrupt and prosecute human smuggling, human trafficking, and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. Key Performance Indicators ~ (1) Adjudicate immigration cases: total case completions [initial case completion (ICC) and subsequent case completion (SCC)] (EOIR). (2) Percent of federal immigration-related crime defendants' cases favorably resolved (USAO). (3) Percent of federal human smuggling crime defendants' cases favorably resolved (CRM/USAO). (4) Number of human trafficking and human smuggling investigations that achieved at least one enforcement impact milestone (HSTF). (5) Percent of civil denaturalization actions favorably resolved (CIV/USAO). (6) Number of TECS/National Crime Information Center (NCIC) lookout records entered based on INTERPOL notices and diffusions (USMS). Agency Priority Goal ~ Eliminate Human Smuggling and Human Trafficking: By September 30, 2027, DOJ will favorably resolve at least 90 percent of federal human trafficking crime defendants' cases and 90 percent of human smuggling crime defendants' cases, and will leverage HSTF to conduct 392 human trafficking and human smuggling investigations that achieve at least one enforcement impact milestone. Enterprise Risk Themes ~ Coordination and Governance Challenges; National Security; Violent Crime and Public Safety. Note ~ HSTF refers to the Homeland Security Task Force, an interagency platform rather than a DOJ component.

Context ~ DOJ estimates that approximately 3 to 10 percent of all federal health care expenditures are fraudulent, equating to up to $530 billion per year in fraudulent spending. DOJ faces complex, multi-jurisdictional schemes involving health care fraud, other federal program fraud, procurement fraud, trade fraud designed to deprive the United States of lawfully owed revenue, environmental fraud against the government, and violations of the nation's tax laws. The Department will employ a whole-of-government approach, including the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, the National Fraud Enforcement Division, and, when appropriate, parallel investigations with federal and state law enforcement agencies, including the states' Medicaid Fraud Control Units. To keep up with the pace of fraud cases, DOJ will require increased resources, new strategies, and expanded use of data analytics. When losses to the public do occur, DOJ will use all criminal and civil tools to restrain and recover lost taxpayer funds. Strategies ~ (a) Employ a whole-of-government approach. (b) Grow the Department's capacity to detect and prosecute fraud. (c) Recoup stolen or fraudulently obtained government funds. Key Performance Indicators ~ (1) Percent of federal criminal fraud against the government defendants' cases favorably resolved (USAO). (2) Percent of civil fraud cases favorably resolved (USAO). Enterprise Risk Themes ~ Fraud and Organized Crime; Technology Investment & Modernization; Data Collection, Management, and Analysis Limitations.

Context ~ Some states and localities have enacted laws, particularly in the areas of immigration, that seek to control the federal government's enforcement efforts or which conflict with federal statutes. Many states and localities have also enacted energy policies, specifically natural gas bans, or artificial intelligence regulations that the plan characterizes as threatening the American economy or undermining innovation. In addition, inconsistent enforcement of Second Amendment protections may unlawfully restrict individuals' constitutional rights to keep and bear arms; U.S. workers face biased recruitment practices when competing for jobs; and businesses are challenged with attempting to meet unwarranted regulatory standards. The Department upholds the rule of law by enforcing compliance with the U.S. Constitution and adherence to the principles of federalism. DOJ will address fraudulent and abusive conduct that undermines the integrity of the rule of law, advocate for and protect the rights of American citizens, particularly civil rights, vigorously defend challenges to federal programs, and bring cases against those who violate the nation's laws. Strategies ~ (a) Enforce all criminal and civil federal laws. (b) Protect civil rights and support fair elections. (c) Advocate for individual and corporate rights. Key Performance Indicators ~ (1) Number of Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation (EAL) Branch cases filed (CIV). (2) Percent of Civil Rights Division cases that are favorably resolved (CRT). (3) Number of custodial sentences (ATR). Enterprise Risk Themes ~ Coordination and Governance Challenges; Building Trust; Fraud and Organized Crime.

Context ~ Supporting victims and communities in coping with crime is a critical mission of the Department. Fentanyl remains the leading cause of death for many Americans; more than three dozen teenage boys in the United States have died by suicide as a direct result of financially motivated sextortion; victims and survivors of domestic violence continue to need affordable housing; and in 2025 the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center recorded $7.2 billion in losses to cryptocurrency investment fraud, $2.1 billion to technical support schemes, $929 million to romance schemes, and $798 million to government impersonation schemes. DOJ is committed to supporting victims as it works to hold offenders accountable, and supports safe communities by engaging in community outreach and administering funding and training through grant programs. The Department prioritizes fighting predatory crimes against American citizens, including internet scams, elder fraud, financial exploitation, crimes against children, and violence against women, adopting a trauma-informed approach and working to afford victims their statutory rights, including the right to restitution. Strategies ~ (a) Prevent, investigate, and prosecute predatory crimes against vulnerable populations. (b) Advance assistance to crime victims. (c) Invest in community-based outreach programs and victim services. (d) Expand access to victim assistance resources. Key Performance Indicators ~ (1) Percent of federal child exploitation crimes defendants' cases favorably resolved (CRM/USAO). (2) Number of missing children recovered and/or located by USMS (USMS). (3) Total amount of DOJ forfeited funds used to compensate victims since 2000 (CRM). (4) Percent of victims who report that they entered and maintained permanent housing of their choice upon exit from the OVW-funded Transitional Housing Program (OVW). (5) Number of DEA community outreach and other public engagement activities (DEA). (6) Number of victim services provided by Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) grantees (OJP). Enterprise Risk Themes ~ Building Trust; Fraud and Organized Crime; Violent Crime and Public Safety.

Context ~ The mission of the Department requires a workforce that can rise to the demands of keeping Americans safe. DOJ seeks to modernize its workforce systems to attract, hire, develop, and retain a high-performing, accountable workforce. DOJ will continue implementing and managing a comprehensive Merit Hiring and Strategic Workforce Plan that ensures all hiring, development, and advancement-based actions are grounded in merit system principles, free from prohibited personnel practices, strategically aligned to mission priorities, and executed with speed, rigor, and transparency. DOJ will also strengthen protections that allow employees and applicants to report discrimination and harassment safely and without retaliation; provide timely, lawful reasonable accommodations; and provide biannual training on equal employment opportunity (EEO) principles, prohibited personnel practices, and whistleblower rights. DOJ will leverage technology, research, and data analytics to drive efficiency, workforce insight, and evidence-based decision-making. Strategies ~ (a) Institutionalize merit-based, skills-focused hiring. (b) Strengthen performance management and accountability. (c) Modernize human resources (HR) infrastructure and data analytics. (d) Update Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and procedures and deliver applicable training. Key Performance Indicators ~ (1) Number of days to hire (JMD). (2) Number of hiring-related deficiencies (JMD). (3) Percent of supervisors completing required EEO and anti-harassment training (JMD). Enterprise Risk Themes ~ Workforce - Retention and Development; Workforce - Recruitment; Technology Investment & Modernization.

Context ~ The Department's information technology environment has traditionally been decentralized, resulting in duplicative systems, inconsistent service delivery practices, siloed data, and disparate adoption of modernization, increasing operational inefficiencies, overlapping investments, and risk exposure. DOJ seeks to reduce fragmentation and costs by consolidating IT functions across the Department, expanding adoption of enterprise-wide platforms and shared services, and paving the way for innovation and automation, supporting architecture standardization, reduction of duplicative investments, and expansion of AI and automation use cases. DOJ aims to equip its staff with modern tools and access to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and automation, to improve productivity, promote evidence-based decision-making, and accelerate progress on mission outcomes. Strategies ~ (a) Consolidate information technology (IT) functions under DOJ's Chief Information Officer (CIO). (b) Expand adoption of unified enterprise solutions. (c) Drive productivity and efficiency through responsible artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and modern technology. Key Performance Indicators ~ (1) Rate of enterprise IT utilization (JMD). (2) Cost impact generated by IT enterprises or shared services (JMD). (3) Number of AI or automation use cases (OLP). Enterprise Risk Themes ~ Technology Investment & Modernization; Data Collection, Management, and Analysis Limitations; Workforce - Retention and Development.

Context ~ The Department works to enhance public safety by maintaining a safe, humane, and effective federal prison system, allowing for the implementation of rehabilitative efforts designed to prepare individuals in custody for successful reentry into the community. In recent years, the federal prison and detention system has experienced chronic staffing shortages, introduction of contraband, aging infrastructure, treatment and programming capacity gaps, and reentry issues. Over 40 percent of the people released from federal prison recidivate within three years, and the Department has identified a steady increase in parole hearings, revocation hearings, and warrants issued. DOJ seeks to strengthen institutional safety and effectiveness by increasing mission-critical staffing, optimize the use of transportation resources and in-transit prisoner housing locations, implement an evidence-based risk assessment framework that focuses on data over intuition, and expand evidence-based treatment and reentry programming aimed at reducing idleness and supporting noncriminal release strategies. Strategies ~ (a) Enhance hiring process and increase mission-critical staffing levels. (b) Optimize efficiencies in the national prisoner transportation network. (c) Implement an evidence-based risk assessment framework for identifying violent offender behavior. (d) Expand the accessibility of First Step Act (FSA), mental health, and other evidence-based treatment and reentry programming. Key Performance Indicators ~ (1) Vacancy rate of BOP law enforcement officer positions (BOP). (2) Average number of days to complete prisoner transfer from a detention facility (USMS). (3) Number of FSA programming positions filled (BOP). Enterprise Risk Themes ~ Threats to Prison Security; Workforce - Retention and Development; Workforce - Recruitment; Violent Crimes and Public Safety; Data Collection, Management, and Analysis Limitations.