Senator Chuck Grassley Presses for Transparency on Firearms Trafficking to Mexico

Senator Chuck Grassley, a prominent figure on Capitol Hill, is urging the Biden administration to provide more details about its efforts to curb the flow of firearms from the United States into Mexico. His call for transparency follows a CBS Reports investigation that exposed how Americans are unwittingly aiding Mexican drug cartels in smuggling weapons across the southern border.

In his letter addressed to the head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Grassley seeks comprehensive information regarding “Project Thor,” an interagency initiative launched in 2018. The initiative aimed to identify and dismantle the supply chains across the U.S. that provide weapons to Mexican drug cartels. Shockingly, CBS News discovered that this critical effort was denied funding for fiscal year 2022 by the ATF.

Grassley, a Republican hailing from Iowa, accuses the ATF of misallocating resources by directing its focus away from targeting criminal actors and, instead, concentrating on law-abiding gun owners and sellers. This shift in priorities is evident in the ATF’s revocation of federal firearms licenses and the proposed rule that broadens the definition of individuals required to become federal firearms licensees. The senator argues that ATF should allocate its limited resources to operations that target violent criminals and the trafficking networks that supply firearms to Mexican cartels within the United States.

The Senator’s request for information includes a call for a comprehensive list of all government agencies involved in Project Thor and a detailed description of their respective roles. Furthermore, he seeks information regarding the funding allocated to the operation and the reasons behind its discontinuation. Grassley is also interested in understanding how the ATF collaborates with other federal law enforcement agencies and the Mexican government to share information about firearms bought in the U.S. and trafficked to Mexican cartels.

Grassley, who also served as one of the lead Senate investigators of the botched ATF program known as Operation Fast and Furious, is expanding his inquiry to encompass the smuggling networks operating within the United States. These networks often rely heavily on individuals who are compensated to purchase weapons from gun stores and online dealers, further complicating the issue of firearms trafficking to Mexico.

In conjunction with Grassley’s efforts, a group of six Democratic senators, led by Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, introduced the “Stop Arming Cartels Act.” This legislative measure aims to curb the flow of firearms from the U.S. into Mexico. The introduction of this act followed the release of the CBS Reports documentary, which exposed how American citizens have played a role in helping Mexican drug cartels smuggle a range of weapons, including military-grade firearms, out of the United States. These weapons are funneled through straw purchasers and transported across the southern border via brokers and couriers.

The CBS Reports investigation highlighted that the U.S. government has been aware of the firearms trafficking by drug cartels for years but has taken limited action to dismantle the networks operating within the U.S. It’s estimated that these networks are responsible for moving up to one million firearms across the southern border each year.

In response to this issue, senior Biden administration officials have underscored their commitment to enhancing collaboration with Mexican authorities to disrupt the flow of drugs and guns between the two countries. The Justice Department has been granted new authorities by Congress to prosecute gun traffickers and seize illegal firearms. The recent arrests of seven individuals in Texas who were charged with buying over 100 guns trafficked into Mexico were highlighted as examples of this effort.

Additionally, Operation Southbound, a project involving nine multi-agency firearms task forces, is actively working to disrupt gun trafficking. The Department of Homeland Security is also sharing a monthly report on the movement of guns bound for Mexico with its Mexican partners to facilitate joint operations and investigations.

The Biden administration’s commitment to stopping the unlawful trafficking of weapons is evident, recognizing the critical role it plays in the fight against drug traffickers. These measures not only aim to safeguard U.S. and Mexican citizens but also promote regional security and stability.