Who is responsible for enforcing sanctions within the U.S.?

The Department of the Treasury is primarily responsible for enforcing sanctions within the U.S. Through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and those involved in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

These sanctions are critical tools used by the U.S. government to achieve foreign policy and national security objectives. The department not only implements the sanctions but also oversees compliance, ensuring that U.S. individuals and businesses adhere to these regulations. This enforcement includes conducting investigations, imposing penalties for violations, and providing guidance on the sanctions’ requirements.

In contrast, while the Department of Justice may bring legal actions against individuals or entities that violate the law, including sanctions violations, it does not have the primary role of enforcing sanctions. The Department of State manages diplomatic relations and can advocate for sanctions but leaves enforcement to the Treasury. The Department of Defense focuses on military operations and national defense, which does not include the enforcement of economic sanctions. As such, the Department of the Treasury's dedicated focus on economic sanctions makes it the correct choice.