Trump to increased FBI resources to address unsolved crimes in Native American lands
The Trump administration is taking action to address unsolved violent crimes in Native American tribal lands by surging FBI resources across the country. This initiative, known as “Operation Not Forgotten,” will see 60 personnel deployed to various parts of “Indian Country” over a six-month period. These personnel will rotate in 90-day temporary assignments to support FBI field offices in Albuquerque, Denver, Detroit, Jackson, Miss., Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, Oreg., Seattle, and Salt Lake City.
The announcement of this surge in resources comes in response to the tragic murder of Indigenous artist DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo. The FBI field office in Albuquerque revealed that Suazo was killed by her boyfriend following an argument in November 2021. DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo, a talented artist and the daughter of Native American artists Geraldine Tso and David Gary Suazo, was a beloved member of her community.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the importance of delivering accountability to Native American communities, where crime rates are unacceptably high. By collaborating closely with U.S. Attorneys and Tribal law enforcement agencies, the Department of Justice aims to address the persistent issue of crime in these communities.
The FBI will work in conjunction with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal law enforcement to investigate and prosecute cases of violence in Native American lands. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the agency’s Indian Country program currently has around 4,300 open investigations, including cases of death, child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.
This surge in FBI resources is part of a broader effort to address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous people, particularly women and girls. In 2019, President Trump signed an executive order establishing the Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. The current iteration of Operation Not Forgotten has already provided investigative support to over 500 cases in the past two years, resulting in the recovery of child victims, arrests, and indictments.
The collaboration between the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Tribal law enforcement agencies underscores the commitment to ensuring justice and safety in Native American communities. This initiative represents a significant step towards addressing the longstanding issue of violent crimes in “Indian Country” and delivering the accountability that these communities deserve.
