Trump administration moves to consolidate Office on Violence Against Women

The Trump administration plans to consolidate the federal Office on Violence Against Women within the U.S. Department of Justice and has proposed a 29% funding cut for the office in the 2026 budget, according to ICT. The change would shift oversight of tribal grants to the Department of Justice tribal affairs division beginning in February, according to testimony from Stanley E. Woodward, associate attorney general, during a tribal consultation meeting held Jan. 21-23 in Prior Lake, Minnesota.

Tribal leaders and advocates testified in opposition to the plan, warning the consolidation could delay funding and disrupt services addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking and tribal justice systems, according to ICT. Several speakers said tribes rely heavily on Office on Violence Against Women grants to support victim services, law enforcement and courts. Elizabeth Jerue, executive director of the Healing Hearts Coalition, testified that the consolidation is not something tribes requested.