(Roll Call)—Attorney General Pamela Bondi on Monday defended a Trump administration proposal to eliminate the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a major shakeup experts say would likely require congressional action to implement.
The Justice Department in a fiscal 2026 budget request has outlined a plan to merge ATF functions into the Drug Enforcement Administration, which would remain a single component. Bondi got questions about the plan during a House Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations subcommittee hearing.
Groups on both sides of the gun debate have found rare agreement in opposing the plan, though for different reasons. Gun control advocates say it will weaken enforcement, while one prominent gun owner rights organization called the merger idea an “abomination” that would “create a taxpayer-funded super agency to target gun owners.”
Bondi told lawmakers that “guns and drugs go together” and the merger would be a “great marriage between those two agencies.”
“They’re working hand-in-hand on task forces already. Now, they will be working under one umbrella, and it’s going to be great for our country,” Bondi said.
- Read More: rollcall.com
At Last, a Company With Integrity in the Gold IRA Industry
For several years, I’ve been vetting out precious metals companies in search of the best. I believe in gold and silver but it’s hard to find integrity in the Gold IRA industry. The vast majority operate with shady tactics and gigantic spreads that take advantage of Americans who simply want to protect their life’s savings.
I’ve found a handful that I like and I’ve worked with some of them. By no means would I “unrecommend” them because, again, I vetted them out and found them to be above the fold. Unfortunately, it isn’t hard to be better than the rest when the rest are so darn awful.
After years of searching, I finally found a company that truly operates with integrity. Augusta Precious Metals has three important attributes that set them far above the competition:
- Non-Commissioned Sales Team: I cannot stress how important and unique this is. With just about every other company in the Gold IRA industry, the sales teams make commission from every account they open. This means they steer their clients toward the gold and silver products with the highest commission. With Augusta Precious Metals, the team is solely focused on putting the best gold and silver for their clients into their IRA. They get paid to serve the best interests of the Gold IRA client, NOT their own commission pay.
- Incredibly Low Fees: Most Americans would be shocked if they knew the spread other Gold IRA companies charge. Augusta charges just 5% versus up to 45% elsewhere.
- No Pressure, No Gimmicks: There’s an understanding among most in the Gold IRA industry that fear and pressure is the way to go. Augusta Precious Metals takes a sober approach when working with clients because they hold integrity in the highest possible regard. This is why they don’t offer gimmicks like “free” or “bonus” silver. It’s also why they do not apply pressure tactics to get quick sales. Their educational and transparent approach to doing business is exceedingly rare in the Gold IRA industry.