WASHINGTON – The Biden administration announced a new task force Wednesday that will enforce U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia.
The Department of Justice task force, dubbed Task Force KleptoCapture, was teased by Biden in his State of the Union address Tuesday evening.
“The U.S. Department of Justice is assembling a dedicated task force to go after the crimes of Russian oligarchs,” Biden said. “We are coming for your ill-begotten gains,” Biden added.
The new task will be made up of interagency law enforcement officers from the FBI, Marshals Service, IRS, Postal Inspection, Homeland Security Investigations as well as the Secret Service.
“The Justice Department will use all of its authorities to seize the assets of individuals and entities who violate these sanctions,” wrote Attorney General Merrick Garland in a statement announcing the new unit.
“We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to investigate, arrest and prosecute those whose criminal acts enable the Russian government to continue this unjust war,” Garland added.
The State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the new task force with his Ukrainian counterpart on Wednesday.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
