Justice Department Takes Aggressive Action in March 2025 Under Attorney General Pamela Bondi

As March 2025 unfolds, the Department of Justice (DOJ) under Attorney General Pamela Bondi has been executing a series of high-profile arrests, prosecutions, and policy changes that signal the agency’s renewed focus on national security, anti-corruption efforts, and the elimination of radical Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. With President Donald Trump back in the White House for his second term, the DOJ has moved swiftly to enforce law and order, combat terrorism, and crack down on threats to U.S. sovereignty.

Criminal Charges and Arrests: National Security at the Forefront

One of the most significant cases this month was the arrest of Michael Charles Schena, a State Department employee accused of conspiring to transmit or lose national defense information. The DOJ alleges that Schena used online platforms to share classified materials in exchange for payments. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

Additionally, the DOJ announced the arrest of three U.S. Army soldiers—Jian Zhao, Li Tian, and Ruoyu Duan—for their roles in a bribery and theft scheme, which included allegations that Zhao attempted to transmit national defense information to individuals in China. The charges highlight the DOJ’s commitment to dismantling espionage networks and protecting U.S. military secrets.

In a significant counterterrorism victory, the United States successfully arrested Mohammad Sharifullah, an ISIS-K operative linked to the deadly 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan that killed 13 U.S. service members. Sharifullah admitted to helping plan the attack, conducting surveillance, and assisting ISIS-K in multiple other operations, including the March 2024 Crocus City Hall massacre in Moscow. He now faces a life sentence in federal court.

Combatting Antisemitism and Higher Education Crackdowns

Under President Trump’s directive to combat antisemitism, the DOJ, along with the Department of Education (ED), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the General Services Administration (GSA), announced the immediate cancellation of $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University. The decision came after continued allegations that the university failed to take adequate action against antisemitic harassment on campus. Attorney General Bondi made it clear that federal funding for institutions that fail to protect Jewish students will be revoked.

Furthermore, the DOJ has opened a Title VII Civil Rights investigation into the University of California system, scrutinizing whether the institution allowed a hostile work environment against Jewish employees. This marks a historic moment as federal authorities aggressively enforce protections under civil rights laws.

Fighting Domestic and International Criminal Enterprises

On the criminal front, Colombian national Pedro Jose Silva Ochoa was sentenced to 27 years in prison for his role in the kidnapping and assault of two U.S. Army soldiers in Bogotá. Another suspect, Kenny Julieth Uribe Chiran, pleaded guilty to related charges.

In the cyber realm, the DOJ, in collaboration with Germany and Finland, shut down the cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, a platform accused of laundering billions in illicit funds for transnational criminal organizations. Two administrators, Aleksej Besciokov and Aleksandr Mira Serda, were charged with money laundering conspiracy and other crimes.

Additionally, the DOJ charged 12 Chinese contract hackers for their roles in a widespread cyber-espionage campaign targeting U.S. businesses, government agencies, and political dissidents. The indictments revealed that China’s Ministry of Public Security employed these individuals to infiltrate American infrastructure, steal trade secrets, and suppress free speech.

Policy Shifts: Ending Radical DEI and Environmental Justice Agendas

In alignment with President Trump’s executive order to end radical DEI programs, the DOJ dismissed a lawsuit against Denka Performance Elastomer LLC, reversing the Biden administration’s attempt to shut down the Louisiana-based neoprene manufacturing facility. The EPA also withdrew its referral of the case, signaling an end to the agency’s use of “environmental justice” as a tool for ideological enforcement.

Additionally, the DOJ intervened in a lawsuit against Illinois, challenging the state’s requirement that nonprofits disclose the demographic data of their boards. The DOJ argued that such mandates violate constitutional principles and effectively coerce organizations into race-based hiring practices.

Cracking Down on Financial Crimes and Public Corruption

The DOJ has also been targeting financial and tax fraud cases. Among the notable prosecutions:

• Michigan businessman Dale Thrush was found guilty of employment tax crimes after failing to pay payroll taxes and diverting funds for personal expenses.
• West Virginia business owner Dean Dawson pleaded guilty to failing to pay over $250,000 in employment taxes while using company funds for personal luxuries.
• Health care providers and laboratory marketers agreed to pay over $1.9 million to settle allegations of illegal kickback schemes involving Medicare and TRICARE.

Justice Department’s Hardline Stance Under Trump’s Leadership

Attorney General Bondi’s DOJ is making it clear that the era of lax enforcement is over. From aggressive national security prosecutions to ending DEI overreach, the department is firmly aligned with President Trump’s vision of restoring law and order, protecting American interests, and taking a strong stance against domestic and international threats.

With March 2025 only halfway through, the DOJ’s actions signal a reinvigorated effort to restore accountability and uphold justice. The coming weeks may bring even more high-profile cases as Bondi’s Justice Department continues its aggressive approach to national security, law enforcement, and civil rights protections.