US Justice Department Cuts Funding and Training for Child-Exploitation Investigations — Prosecutors Warn of Risk to Children

The US Department of Justice has reduced funding and withdrawn training support for law enforcement teams that investigate and prosecute sexual crimes against children since President Donald Trump began his second term, officials say. Prosecutors and task-force officers warn these changes — including the cancellation of a major annual training event and delayed grants — are undermining investigations, disrupting information sharing and eroding support for frontline investigators.

Major Actions and Immediate Impacts

Among the most consequential moves, the Justice Department canceled the 2025 National Law Enforcement Training on Child Exploitation, which had been scheduled for June in Washington, D.C. The conference is an annual forum that provides technical training for federal and state prosecutors and law-enforcement personnel who investigate online crimes against children. Four prosecutors and law-enforcement officers who specialize in child sexual-exploitation cases, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told reporters the cancellation and other budget restrictions are already hampering casework.

“You don’t want to speak too loudly, because you just fear retaliation, and that’s a heavy hand to be dealt when you’re just trying to do your job,”

Training, Grants and Information Flow Disrupted

Federal prosecutors report new “austerity” measures that require approval for travel tied to training, trial preparation and victim interviews — requests that are frequently denied. Commanders of the 61 Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces, representatives from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and some technology partners historically met several times a year; those regular meetings have also stopped since the training cancellation, sources said.

ICAC units report delays or non-payment of annual grants usually awarded in October. Those funds typically cover personnel, software, hardware and other investigative tools. Without them, some task forces say they have been forced to cut staff, postpone upgrades to digital forensics capacity, and seek emergency funding from other sources.

Why the Training Matters

Investigators say the annual conference and related meetings are vital for keeping pace with rapidly evolving technologies and tactics used by offenders — including the rising use of AI-based tools for grooming and anonymizing activity. The events also build networks of experienced prosecutors and investigators who can provide technical advice and emotional support.

“If your jurisdiction gets hit with one of these cases, what do you do? These conferences teach you. They also provide contacts: I meet instructors who’ve handled these cases before, who can maybe talk me through the investigation,” said a state prosecutor.

Law-enforcement sources emphasize that handling child-exploitation material is uniquely traumatic and isolating. Conferences and recurring meetings reduce turnover by offering peer support and practical guidance.

Responses and Context

The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment for this report. In earlier statements, a departmental spokesperson said: “The Department of Justice can remain focused on two critical priorities at the same time: prosecute criminals who exploit children and ensure the efficient use of taxpayer dollars.”

Previous reporting has documented broader rollbacks under the administration that affected anti-trafficking efforts and survivor services. The policy changes have drawn bipartisan criticism in some instances, including concern about the refusal to release complete investigative files related to the late Jeffrey Epstein.

Resources for Victims and Concerned Adults

If you or someone you know needs help:

• United States: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline — Call or text 800-422-4453; visit Childhelp for resources and reporting.
• Adult Survivors (US): Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) and ascasupport.org for resources.
• United Kingdom: NSPCC — Children: 0800 1111; adults concerned about a child: 0808 800 5000. NAPAC for adult survivors: 0808 801 0331.
• Australia: Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800; Bravehearts: 1800 272 831; Blue Knot Foundation (adult survivors): 1300 657 380.
• Global: Child Helplines International maintains a directory of local hotlines.

Note: Sources for this story include four current prosecutors and law-enforcement officers who requested anonymity because of concerns about retaliation. The article summarizes verified accounts of canceled events, delayed grants and procedural changes affecting child-exploitation investigations.