Source: United States Department of Justice
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
Good morning, and thank you for having me today.
We are here today to collaborate on an issue that is of significant personal importance to me. As the father of four young children, I am, of course, constantly worried about my children’s safety and wellbeing. With the rapid emergence of technologies and the rise of super intelligence, the world is changing faster than I can keep up with — so I am indebted to partnerships with organizations like ICAC that can keep up with the evolving environment to keep American’s children safe.
I am proud to say that the Department and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) program and task forces have been partners since 1998. ICAC task forces are critical in combatting child exploitation, and the Department is committed to supporting the ICACs in every way it can.
For the last 28 years, we have worked closely to ensure that you have what you need to support task force operational needs, as well as the tools, training, digital forensics support and other resources most needed and appropriate for each site.
We know there have been concerns regarding access to funding and training resources. Before we get any further into the day’s conversations, I’d like to highlight some of the actions we have and are taking to demonstrate our commitment.
In recent funding — The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) awarded $40.7 million in Fiscal Year 2025 funding to the ICAC Task Forces and related training and other support resources.
And, just recently, OJJDP awarded $34 million in fiscal year 2026 funding to the ICAC Task Forces, $3.7 million to support ICAC National Training, and $900,000 for ICAC Data System Enhancements.
While funding was delayed due to adjustments that needed to be made after the transition of the current Administration, we are getting back on track for Fiscal Year 2027, and my team is working expeditiously to get funding into the field.
The Department also provides comprehensive trainings and technical assistance—
In Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026, OJP supported over 140 in-person ICAC trainings and workshops.
At these workshops, OJP provides hands-on investigative, forensic, and technical support including expert guidance during complex investigations to digital evidence analysis, investigative tool assistance, and expert courtroom testimony.
This specialized training helps to strengthen case quality, expedite investigative work, and ensure agencies of all sizes can access advanced technical capabilities they may not have in-house.
ICAC training is available in a variety of formats including virtual and on demand on a variety of topics to address core, entry level training needs as well as more advanced training needs. Topics include:
Essential investigative and operational skills training, including ICAC investigative techniques, CyberTip management, interview methods, undercover chat operations, and online engagement strategies.
Specialized training on digital evidence forensics, tools and technology, such as forensic analysis of computers, mobile devices, wireless networks, gaming systems, and other digital media; encryption; on‑scene investigative tools; peer‑to‑peer file sharing; exploitation via social networks; dark web investigations; cryptocurrency; generative SI; and other emerging technologies.
The Department is committed to continuing in-person training when and where possible on those topics for which a virtual modality would undermine the training’s effectiveness.
Looking ahead — OJP is currently planning additional trainings and workshops for the remainder of 2026 and 2027 in partnership with the newly awarded FY 2025 ICAC National Training Providers. This planning also includes support for ICAC committees, ICAC task force commander meetings, and individualized technical assistance using the most effective delivery methods.
To that end, we are also in the process of planning for a National Training in 2027. The plan for this training will be to focus on those classes that require computers in an in-person, lab-like setting.
There will be more information to come, but something that I am proud to highlight as further evidence that we are listening and of our commitment to you and your work.