Senator Katie Britt Presses Attorney General Bondi on Youth Safety, Antisemitism, and Crime Surge

October 8, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a wide-ranging Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this week, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) questioned Attorney General Pam Bondi on several pressing issues affecting American families, including youth safety online, the rise in antisemitism, and violent crime in cities like Montgomery.

The hearing focused on the Department of Justice's efforts to combat emerging threats to public safety, particularly those targeting children and vulnerable communities. Senator Britt's line of questioning reflected growing concerns among Alabama families and law enforcement officials about the role of digital platforms in facilitating criminal activity and the broader implications for community security.

Sextortion and Online Exploitation

Senator Britt opened her remarks by highlighting the dangers children and teens face on social media, including sextortion, human trafficking, and the sale of illegal drugs.

"I have sat across from a number of parents who have talked to me about their child either falling victim to sextortion or different schemes that are online," Britt said. "We also know that there is an element of human trafficking that comes here. What are you doing to hold bad actors accountable, to track them down and to keep our kids safe?"

Attorney General Bondi responded by emphasizing the Department's aggressive pursuit of international offenders and its commitment to extraditing and prosecuting those responsible.

"We've made countless cases around this country, and many of them have involved global international defendants," Bondi said. "We're bringing them back to this country. That's how we're holding them accountable and locking them up for as long as we humanly can."

Britt also referenced the tragic consequences of online drug sales, particularly fentanyl-laced substances that have led to youth fatalities.

"If that was happening on a storefront and a small business in America, we would shut that storefront down," Britt said. "We must do more to hold not only the bad actors online, but also the people who allow it to happen accountable."

Illegal Offshore Gambling Targeting Minors

In her second round of questioning, Senator Britt turned attention to illegal offshore gambling operations that target young men and teens.

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"Will you commit to me to taking a look at what is exactly happening offshore and also how they are utilizing different spaces to actually go after our children, getting them addicted and ultimately pulling them in?" Britt asked.

Bondi affirmed her commitment to working with Britt to investigate and disrupt these operations, which often operate outside U.S. jurisdiction but have direct impacts on domestic youth behavior and addiction.

Crackdown on Illegal Vapes

Senator Britt also raised concerns about the proliferation of illegal Chinese-manufactured vapes being sold in American stores.

Bondi responded that the DOJ has been conducting raids across the country to shut down vape shops carrying illegal substances.

Addressing Antisemitism and the October 7 Anniversary

Reflecting on the second anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks, Senator Britt spoke about the emotional toll on families of hostages and victims, and the disturbing rise in antisemitism across the United States.

"Some of the families will never get their loved ones back, and some are hoping for a resolution soon," Britt said. "In addition to this horror and nightmare, we have seen a rise in antisemitism here on our soil. Can you talk to me about the work that DOJ is doing to combat that rise and to hold offenders accountable?

Bondi acknowledged the Department's ongoing efforts to investigate hate crimes and enforce federal protections for religious communities.

Montgomery Mass Shooting and Urban Crime

In her final remarks, Senator Britt addressed the recent mass shooting in Montgomery, Alabama, which left two dead and twelve injured. She called for greater interagency coordination and long-term solutions to urban violence.

"My heart breaks for every one of the victims and their families and the community at large," Britt said. "I'd like to know a little bit about your interagency work, and talk to me about things that you find, because we have to find solutions in this space. This cannot keep happening."

Bondi expressed condolences and reaffirmed the DOJ's commitment to supporting local law enforcement and deploying federal resources where needed.

Senator Britt's participation in the hearing underscores her focus on protecting Alabama families from digital exploitation, violent crime, and rising hate incidents. Her questions reflect a broader legislative push to hold platforms, perpetrators, and enablers accountable while strengthening community resilience.