Sanctuary jurisdictions are standing firm after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi set a deadline for compliance with federal authorities this week. Washington State, among others, insists it has “no intention of changing our values in the face of threats from the Trump administration.”
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, responded to Bondi in a letter, stating, “You are hereby notified that Washington State will not be bullied or intimidated by threats and legally baseless accusations.”
In the letter, shared with Fox News Digital, Ferguson emphasized that “our state legislature passed a bipartisan law that appropriately and lawfully limits the diversion of our state and local resources to federal immigration enforcement.” He also criticized Bondi personally, saying her “threat to criminally prosecute state officials embarrasses and disgraces the office.”
“Washington State is proud to be a welcoming community that values immigrants’ and refugees’ contributions to our economy and our cultural fabric. We do so while accounting for and complying with applicable federal law,” Ferguson stated.
“You seem to believe that cavalierly threatening criminal prosecution will result in me compromising the values of my state. Never,” he added. “I am prepared to defend Washington from any litigation you wish to pursue. If you choose to challenge me and my state, be advised that we will defeat you and seek all appropriate costs and fees.”
On X, Ferguson reiterated, “Washington state has no intention of changing our values in the face of threats from the Trump administration.”
Bondi announced Thursday that she had sent letters giving sanctuary jurisdictions one week to comply with federal immigration laws or face Department of Justice action. Speaking on Fox Business, Bondi said she had contacted 32 mayors and seven governors, “telling them you better comply or you’re next.”
Bondi highlighted her letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, warning that “individuals operating under the color of law, using their official position to obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts and facilitating or inducing illegal immigration may be subject to criminal charges.” The letter stressed that cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies is “vital to enforce federal law and protect national security.”
“Under President Trump’s leadership, full cooperation by state and local governments in immigration enforcement efforts is a top priority,” Bondi wrote, noting that Trump directed her to “identify sanctuary jurisdictions and notify them of their unlawful sanctuary status and potential violations of federal law.”
Several Democratic-led sanctuary jurisdictions have responded defiantly. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu criticized Bondi during a press conference, saying, “Stop attacking our cities to hide your administration’s failures. Unlike the Trump administration, Boston follows the law… You are wrong on the law, and you are wrong on safety.”
Newsom, rumored to have presidential aspirations, described Bondi’s letter as “yet another attempt by the federal government to pressure states into bending the knee and accepting their authoritarian tactics.” Newsom’s legal affairs secretary, David Sapp, referenced a 2019 9th Circuit Court ruling affirming that “California has the right, pursuant to the [Tenth Amendment’s] anticommandeering rule, to refrain from assisting with federal efforts.” He added that threatening prosecutions “would flout the rule of law, as well as likely constitute malicious prosecution.”
In a separate statement, Newsom stressed, “The courts have reaffirmed the validity of California’s laws time and again… we will not be bullied into relinquishing our sovereignty.”
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek also expressed defiance on X, saying, “I will fight for the safety and prosperity of every Oregonian, from recent immigrants to people who have been here for generations.” Her office shared a letter to Bondi stating that Oregon law does not “thwart federal immigration enforcement” and that “no immediate initiatives” are required.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul accused Bondi of treating “states as merely vassals of the federal government,” adding that “these disputes are rightly before the courts for resolution,” and reaffirmed her constitutional duty “to take care that the laws of New York are faithfully executed.”
Eric Maruyama, spokesperson for Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, clarified, “Colorado is not a sanctuary state,” and expressed frustration with the federal administration’s lack of transparency. He said, “In Colorado, we are improving public safety, apprehending dangerous criminals, cooperating with federal law enforcement on criminal investigations, and keeping our communities safe.”
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker highlighted that Illinois won a federal court case against the Trump administration over the TRUST Act. The DOJ’s lawsuit was dismissed by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for lack of standing, though the agency can still appeal.
Attempts to reach Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for comment were not returned by publication.
