Is the Trump Administration Prosecuting Fewer Financial Crimes?

 Posted on June 11, 2025 in Animal Cruelty

As of June 2025, policy analysts, legal scholars, and former Justice Department officials continue to debate whether there has been a measurable slowdown in white-collar crime prosecution during Trump’s term, and what that slowdown means for the enforcement of federal laws targeting corporate fraud, securities violations, and banking crimes.

If you are facing federal charges for a federal financial offense, you need to understand how shifts in federal enforcement priorities — past and present — might affect your case. At Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney, our Illinois federal criminal defense attorney can help you understand what you are facing in a federal criminal investigation and what the consequences may be. 

Has There Been a Recent Decline in Federal Financial Crime Enforcement?

Multiple sources indicate that federal white-collar prosecutions have declined under the Trump administration, and that was true in President Trump’s last term as well. According to a 2020 report by Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), white-collar prosecutions hit a historic low during Trump's previous term. 

Why Did Financial Crime Prosecutions Decline?

While not officially stated as policy, a combination of deregulatory goals and leadership appointments is shaping enforcement strategy. Many white-collar crime units within the Department of Justice saw decreased staffing or reduced investigative scope. Others noted that the Trump administration emphasized border security and violent crime, which may have shifted attention and resources away from financial investigations.

Still, not all agencies reduced their activity equally. The Internal Revenue Service and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) continued to pursue complex fraud cases involving tax evasion and money laundering, although fewer were prosecuted compared to prior years.

Does This Mean Financial Crimes Are Less Likely to Be Prosecuted Today?

In Illinois, federal prosecutors based in Chicago have continued prosecuting high-profile cases involving insider trading, bank fraud, and corporate embezzlement, including cases stemming from CARES Act relief fraud and whistleblower reports. If you are under investigation, you should assume that the federal government has the resources and intent to prosecute aggressively.

What Should You Do If You Are Facing Federal Charges for Financial Crimes?

Federal charges for financial crimes often come after months or even years of investigation. If you have received a target letter, subpoena, or any communication from a federal agency, you should speak with a federal criminal defense attorney immediately.

Federal financial crime cases typically involve:

• Complex evidence such as emails, financial statements, and recorded calls

• Coordinated investigations between federal agencies

• Potential asset freezes, forfeiture actions, or parallel civil cases

Contact a Chicago, IL Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are being investigated or charged with a federal financial crime in Illinois, you need an attorney who understands the broader political and prosecutorial milieu. Contact a Chicago, IL federal criminal defense lawyer at Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney by calling 312-629-0669 for a free consultation.