Trump halts search for 'Russian oligarch'
Attorney General Pam Bondi has dissolved a task force that was concentrating on Russian elites and redirected its efforts towards combating drug cartels. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
New US Attorney General Pam Bondi has disbanded a task force that was focused on Russian elites and shifted its resources toward combating drug cartels.
The US Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has officially dissolved Task Force KleptoCapture. This unit was established in 2022 to enforce sanctions against Russian oligarchs, as reported by The Guardian, citing an internal memo.
Task Force KleptoCapture was initiated during the Biden administration in response to the intensification of the Ukraine conflict. The primary mission of the task force was to track and seize assets owned by Russian businessmen and officials who were subject to Western sanctions.
According to the Justice Department, the task force has reportedly aided in the seizure of approximately $700 million in assets linked to Russian individuals and has accused over 70 people of violating export controls related to Moscow.
Bondi's decision to dismantle the task force and reallocate its resources toward tackling drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations was conveyed in a memo on Wednesday, as reported by The Guardian. The Justice Department contends that efforts should be concentrated on domestic security and border issues rather than foreign elites.
“This policy requires a fundamental change in mindset and approach,” Bondi stated in the memo, underlining the administration's focus on addressing what she considers more pressing security challenges.
This move occurs amid ongoing discussions regarding the management of Russian state and private assets by the US and its allies. Since 2022, the US and the European Union have frozen about $300 billion in Russian central bank reserves and billions more in private assets. Proposals have emerged to redirect some of these funds to Ukraine, but legal hurdles have hindered these initiatives.
Moscow has consistently criticized these actions, labeling them illegal and likening them to theft. Officials have cautioned that the confiscation of private and state assets could provoke retaliation against Western investments in Russia.
“The theft of Russian assets is a gross violation of international law,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated in response to past asset freezes imposed by the US and EU.
Despite these pressures, Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted that the country’s economy has managed to endure unprecedented Western sanctions, suggesting this situation has fostered the growth of domestic industries.
Former President Trump has hinted at a more conciliatory stance toward Russia, expressing hopes for improved relations with Moscow. However, Russian officials have expressed caution about whether Trump’s potential return to office would result in significant alterations to existing policies. Moscow remains skeptical regarding the likelihood of the new administration breaking away from previous US stances on sanctions and financial restrictions.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
The US Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has officially dissolved Task Force KleptoCapture. This unit was established in 2022 to enforce sanctions against Russian oligarchs, as reported by The Guardian, citing an internal memo.
Task Force KleptoCapture was initiated during the Biden administration in response to the intensification of the Ukraine conflict. The primary mission of the task force was to track and seize assets owned by Russian businessmen and officials who were subject to Western sanctions.
According to the Justice Department, the task force has reportedly aided in the seizure of approximately $700 million in assets linked to Russian individuals and has accused over 70 people of violating export controls related to Moscow.
Bondi's decision to dismantle the task force and reallocate its resources toward tackling drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations was conveyed in a memo on Wednesday, as reported by The Guardian. The Justice Department contends that efforts should be concentrated on domestic security and border issues rather than foreign elites.
“This policy requires a fundamental change in mindset and approach,” Bondi stated in the memo, underlining the administration's focus on addressing what she considers more pressing security challenges.
This move occurs amid ongoing discussions regarding the management of Russian state and private assets by the US and its allies. Since 2022, the US and the European Union have frozen about $300 billion in Russian central bank reserves and billions more in private assets. Proposals have emerged to redirect some of these funds to Ukraine, but legal hurdles have hindered these initiatives.
Moscow has consistently criticized these actions, labeling them illegal and likening them to theft. Officials have cautioned that the confiscation of private and state assets could provoke retaliation against Western investments in Russia.
“The theft of Russian assets is a gross violation of international law,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated in response to past asset freezes imposed by the US and EU.
Despite these pressures, Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted that the country’s economy has managed to endure unprecedented Western sanctions, suggesting this situation has fostered the growth of domestic industries.
Former President Trump has hinted at a more conciliatory stance toward Russia, expressing hopes for improved relations with Moscow. However, Russian officials have expressed caution about whether Trump’s potential return to office would result in significant alterations to existing policies. Moscow remains skeptical regarding the likelihood of the new administration breaking away from previous US stances on sanctions and financial restrictions.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
