Department of Justice launches $25M grant program at violent crime summit

The Department of Justice held its inaugural Attorney General’s Summit on Victims of Violent Crime in Indianapolis. Led by Attorney General Todd Blanche, the event brought together federal leaders, including FBI Director Kash Patel and White House Border Czar Tom Homan, alongside survivors and grieving families to discuss public safety and the human impact of crime.

During the summit, the DOJ announced the launch of the Assisting Neighborhoods and Governments with Enforcement of Laws (ANGEL) Grant Program. This $25 million initiative will provide competitive grants of up to $500,000 to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. The funds are intended for coordinated operations targeting violent crime, gangs, cartels, drug trafficking, and criminal immigration enforcement.

Testimony from ‘Angel Families’—those who have lost loved ones to homicide, fentanyl, or drunk driving—was a central component of the proceedings. Participants and representatives, such as Thomas Kenniff of the National Police Association, emphasized the need for increased accountability for violent offenders and greater support for law enforcement officers.