By Staff Writer – Washington, D.C.
In the wake of a shooting outside the Capitol Jewish Museum earlier this month—an incident authorities are investigating as a possible act of domestic terrorism—concerns are mounting over the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to scale back the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s budget and counterterrorism operations.
The attack, which left two Israeli Embassy employees dead, has revived urgent questions about whether the United States is retreating from its commitment to confronting the rising threat of domestic extremism. While investigators have not released a motive, law enforcement sources confirm they are exploring potential ties to antisemitic ideology.
FBI Director Kash Patel said “Last night’s act of terror has the full attention of the FBI. Targeted anti-Semitic violence is an attack on our core values and will be met with the full weight of federal law enforcement.”
Under President Trump’s leadership, the FBI has faced significant budget reductions. The fiscal 2024 spending package slashed the agency’s funding by 6%, cutting $32 million from salaries and expenses. The proposed 2026 budget suggests a further decrease—from $10.6 billion to $10.1 billion—even as domestic extremist threats remain at historic highs.
The administration’s internal restructuring of the FBI has further alarmed experts. Under Director Kash Patel, the bureau has sharply reduced staffing in its Domestic Terrorism Operations Section and discontinued critical tools used to monitor domestic extremist groups. These moves, critics argue, have left blind spots in the FBI’s ability to detect radicalization and prevent attacks like the one outside the museum.
In addition, federal funding for counterterrorism research has been curtailed. Projects focused on identifying pathways to violent extremism in U.S. communities—once seen as vital tools for prevention—have been shelved entirely.
The Trump administration has defended its budget cuts as part of a broader push to streamline federal agencies and prioritize border security. However, critics say the pivot has come at the expense of addressing one of the most urgent threats: homegrown terrorism motivated by hate and political extremism.
