U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has issued a clear ultimatum to sanctuary jurisdictions, demanding cooperation with federal immigration law. In response, some leaders, like Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, refuse to comply. Ferguson has openly challenged Bondi, insisting that his state will not be “bullied” into compliance by federal threats.
In a letter addressing Bondi, Ferguson asserted his administration’s commitment to what he views as Washington’s “values.” He claimed Bondi’s reasoning for labeling Washington as a “so-called sanctuary jurisdiction” was unsatisfactory and accused her of making “baseless” allegations. Ferguson stated, “You are hereby notified that Washington State will not be bullied or intimidated by threats and legally baseless accusations.” He emphasized that disagreements should be resolved through dialogue, not intimidation.
Ferguson defended his stance by pointing to a bipartisan law that limits the resources his state can divert to federal immigration enforcement. He expressed disdain for Bondi’s implied threat of criminal prosecution against state officials, calling it an embarrassment to the office of the Attorney General. “Your threat to criminally prosecute state officials embarrasses and disgraces the office of the United States Attorney General,” he wrote. Ferguson contends that Washington is adhering to federal law, despite not assisting immigration authorities.
He further claimed pride in being a “welcoming community” while complying with applicable federal statutes. “We do so while accounting for and complying with applicable federal law,” he noted. Ferguson’s record includes challenging President Trump’s policies in court and claiming numerous victories against the Trump Administration’s agenda. “In 2017, I was the first state attorney general to challenge President Trump’s efforts to trample our Constitution in court,” he stated, highlighting his previous successes.
His adamant refusal to work with federal immigration authorities was clear: “You seem to believe that cavalierly threatening criminal prosecution will result in me compromising the values of my state. Never.” He positioned Washington’s sanctuary status as a defense of democracy, declaring, “I will defend our democracy, the rule of law, and the people of my state.” Ferguson’s response underscores a deep divide between state and federal perspectives on immigration enforcement that shows no sign of resolution.
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