Trump Administration Ends Sanctions Task Force Targeting Russian Oligarchs

The U.S. Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, has disbanded Task Force KleptoCapture, a key initiative launched in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The task force, created during President Joe Biden’s tenure, aimed to enforce sanctions, seize assets, and investigate Kremlin-linked oligarchs, including aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska and TV tycoon Konstantin Malofeyev. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued the directive on her first day in office, shifting focus to combating drug cartels and international gangs.

The task force had played a pivotal role in targeting individuals and entities accused of facilitating sanctions violations and export control breaches. High-profile seizures included yachts owned by sanctioned oligarchs Suleiman Kerimov and Viktor Vekselberg. While cases initiated by the task force may continue, investigations will no longer be centralized at Justice Department headquarters, marking a significant departure from previous enforcement strategies.

Bondi’s memo indicated that resources previously devoted to sanctions enforcement would be redirected to counter drug cartels and related crime. This policy shift aligns with Trump’s efforts to combat illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking. Legal experts have raised concerns over the implications for the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement, with corporate bribery cases now expected to prioritize drug and violent crime-related investigations rather than the traditional international corruption focus.

Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright