Announcement
Every missing or murdered American Indian and Alaska Native represents a family and a tribal community waiting for answers. The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that the resources, personnel, and investigative capabilities entrusted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs are focused on meeting that responsibility.
A recent report from the Office of Inspector General’s underscored the need for greater accountability and a renewed focus on the mission of the Missing and Murdered Unit. We take those findings seriously. Under President Trump’s leadership, Indian Affairs is taking concrete steps to strengthen the MMU, restore accountability, and ensure that cases receive the attention and investigative support they require.
The Indian Affairs response to the Office of Inspector General’s report demonstrates this administration’s commitment to ensuring that the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Missing and Murdered Unit operates effectively, uses federal resources responsibly, and delivers the results that Native families and tribal communities deserve.
The deficiencies identified in the OIG audit reflect operations and management decisions from 2021-2024, under the previous administration, that were inconsistent with the objectives and protocols developed through Operation Lady Justice and when this Missing and Murdered initiative was initially developed. Following the change in BIA Office of Justice Services leadership in 2021, key approaches developed under Operation Lady Justice during the first Trump administration were not continued or advanced. This included protocols for reviewing and assigning cases, developing investigative plans, and effectively partnering with tribal law enforcement programs to be part of the efforts.
Under President Trump, the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Office of Justice Services are taking significant steps to correct these issues, increase MMU staffing, and strengthen the MMU to deliver results for Indian Country. Most of the OIG’s recommendations have already been implemented. We are improving case intake and accountability, reinforcing investigative protocols, strengthening partnerships with tribal, federal, and state law enforcement agencies, implementing advanced AI technology and ensuring that MMU resources are directed toward its core public-safety mission.
This effort is further supported by Secretary Doug Burgum’s Secretarial Order 3450, which refocuses the BIA MMU and reinforces the Department’s commitment to addressing missing and murdered American Indian and Alaska Native cases.
Additional work remains to ensure that the MMU has adequate federal and tribal staffing, an effective organizational structure, appropriate accountability for all employees, and the capacity to work efficiently with tribal, federal, and state partners to bring resolve to these important cases. We are committed to addressing these challenges, strengthening fiscal and operational accountability, and ensuring that the MMU is equipped to deliver meaningful results.
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