During a tense Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on June 25, 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi did not hold back when discussing national security threats to the United States, notably including Mexico among countries she labeled as "foreign adversaries." This characterization immediately sparked a sharp response from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who dismissed Bondi's remarks as uninformed and baseless, highlighting the complex and often fraught relationship between the two neighboring nations.
The hearing, focused on the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the Department of Justice, saw Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) questioning AG Bondi on a range of issues, from immigration enforcement to combating antisemitism. Britt began by commending Bondi and the Trump Administration for their efforts to secure the southern border and curb illegal immigration, stating, "I want to thank you for what you have done to actually close our border … to put the safety and security of Americans first. You have made significant strides to go after gang members, cartel members, here in our interior." Bondi echoed this sentiment, detailing the budget's allocation of $10 billion to bolster drug enforcement efforts and $3.2 billion to combat transnational organized crime, including notorious gangs like MS-13 and the Sinaloa cartel.
Bondi emphasized the challenges posed by these criminal organizations, noting, "Sinaloa, they want to talk about Mexico, MS-13 TdA (Tren de Aragua), Venezuela. They opened their prisons in Venezuela and let these people come to our country. No longer. [Cartels and gangs] are so well organized—they have formed huge organizations within our country. And our DEA, our ATF, our FBI … with state and local authorities, are doing everything we can to stop that throughout our country." She further urged support for the "Big Beautiful Bill," legislation designed to enhance national security funding.
On immigration, Bondi revealed the staggering backlog facing the United States asylum system, with 3.8 million pending cases as of May 2025, though she noted a decrease of more than 235,000 cases over four months. Her budget requests $844 million for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) to enforce federal immigration laws more effectively. Senator Britt raised concerns about widespread abuse of the asylum system, stating, "We want them to have the opportunity to do that. But the fraud is preventing us from actually hearing these cases." Bondi’s response underscored the administration’s efforts to reduce fraud and streamline case processing.
Beyond immigration, the hearing also addressed the rise in antisemitism within the United States. Senator Britt thanked Bondi for establishing the Joint Task Force on October 7th, aimed at combating antisemitism and addressing threats posed by Hamas. Bondi described the task force as "staffed with dedicated prosecutors, agents, analysts and linguists," recounting a poignant anecdote of a young man who felt compelled to remove his Star of David necklace at university for safety reasons. "You shouldn’t have to do that. You should be proud of your religion, and you should be safe to practice your religion in this country," Bondi affirmed, promising continued efforts to protect all Americans.
However, the hearing’s focus shifted dramatically when Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) asked Bondi about national security risks posed by foreign threats. Bondi named Iran, Russia, China, and notably, Mexico as "foreign adversaries," stating, "We will do anything in our power thanks to [President Trump's] leadership." This categorization of Mexico alongside countries often viewed as adversarial was met with immediate rebuke from Mexican officials.
On June 26, 2025, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded during a morning press conference, labeling Bondi’s comments as "not very well informed" and asserting that they "have no basis." Sheinbaum emphasized the strong cooperation between Mexico and the United States, noting, "There is a great deal of coordination between Mexico and the United States," and highlighted ongoing efforts to finalize a bilateral security agreement following a February 2025 meeting in Washington.
Sheinbaum also referenced recent high-level visits between the two countries’ defense establishments, including Mexican Defense Secretary Gen. Ricardo Trevilla and Navy Secretary Adm. Raymundo Pedro Morales visiting the U.S. Northern Command, reciprocating a prior U.S. visit to Santa Gertrudis, Chihuahua. These exchanges underscore the collaborative security efforts underway despite political rhetoric.
Addressing the critical issue of fentanyl trafficking, Sheinbaum expressed cautious optimism, stating that trafficking has declined in recent months and that Mexico’s security strategy is "working — with its day-to-day challenges, yes — but it is working." She stressed that cooperation with the U.S. occurs "without subordination," signaling a desire for equal partnership rather than hierarchical oversight.
The contrasting narratives from Bondi and Sheinbaum highlight the delicate balance in U.S.-Mexico relations, particularly in areas of border security, drug enforcement, and immigration policy. While the U.S. Department of Justice under the Trump Administration continues to push for stringent measures and increased funding to combat internal threats, Mexico seeks recognition as a cooperative partner rather than an adversary.
This diplomatic friction comes at a time when both countries face significant internal challenges. The U.S. grapples with a massive immigration backlog and rising domestic threats, including antisemitism, while Mexico battles drug cartels and strives to implement effective security reforms. The upcoming bilateral security agreement promises a framework for enhanced collaboration, but political rhetoric like Bondi’s risks undermining trust.
Senator Britt’s engagement with AG Bondi underscores a broader political agenda focused on border security and law enforcement, reflecting concerns prevalent among many U.S. lawmakers. Meanwhile, Mexican President Sheinbaum’s measured response seeks to preserve the spirit of partnership essential for addressing cross-border issues that affect both nations.
As the fiscal year 2026 budget moves forward, the allocation of billions toward drug enforcement and immigration law enforcement will be closely watched. The success of these initiatives, alongside diplomatic efforts to strengthen U.S.-Mexico cooperation, will play a crucial role in shaping the security landscape of North America.
With tensions simmering yet collaboration ongoing, the coming months will reveal whether these two neighbors can reconcile differing perspectives and work together effectively against shared threats, or if political discord will further complicate an already complex relationship.
