CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE PUSHES BACK AGAINST TRUMP PLAN TO DISMANTLE SUCCESSFUL ANTI-CRIME TASK FORCE
New legislation would preserve a program designed to reduce organized crime and keep illicit narcotics off our streets
(Rochester, N.Y.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle (D, NY-25), Vice Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced the introduction of his Protect Law Enforcement Task Forces Act—legislation he authored to fully maintain the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program has been an ongoing target of the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans.
“At a time when the American people are looking to their government for real, common-sense solutions to the problems they face, the Trump administration is actively dismantling a legitimate and effective initiative that has successfully lowered crime in cities across the United States, including right here in Rochester,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “Dismantling OCDETF is not just reckless—it’s a betrayal of the very public safety principles our government stands for, and I refuse to stand idly by while it happens. I’m proud to introduce legislation I’ve authored to save OCDETF and ensure its continued operation for years to come.”
Established in 1982, OCDETF has served as the centerpiece of the U.S. Department of Justice’s strategy to combat transnational organized crime and reduce the availability of illicit narcotics nationwide. It uses a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach focused on long-term investigations targeting transnational crime, money laundering, and major drug trafficking networks.
OCDETF has repeatedly faced threats of elimination from the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans. The program was excluded from President Trump’s FY2026 budget proposal, which prompted Congressman Morelle to send a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi urging OCDETF be taken off the chopping block. Just a few weeks ago, the Trump administration announced more definitive plans to scrap OCDETF, saying it will be closed as part of an effort to “save the Department over $11 million and further President Trump’s mission of having a federal government that’s more efficient and effective for the American people.”
Despite these claims, OCDETF remains one of the best returns on investment in federal law enforcement, bringing in $524 million and $423 million in Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023, respectively and nearly off setting its own funding through its success. In Congressman Morelle's district, an OCDETF operation conducted from 2021 to January 17, 2024, resulted in the seizure of approximately 805 grams of cocaine, 210 grams of fentanyl, 223 grams of cocaine, $7,682 in cash, seven loaded firearms, and other potentially harmful drug paraphernalia.
Specifically, Congressman Morelle’s Protect Law Enforcement Task Forces Act would prevent OCDETF from being dissolved under the Trump administration’s reduction-in-force orders and require the administration to submit a report on the program’s successes to Congress.
Morelle previously submitted an amendment to protect and fund OCDETF during House Appropriations Committee consideration of the FY2026 budget, but it was rejected by committee Republicans. You can watch his remarks on the importance of this program here.
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