DOJ warns California officials to ‘stand down or face prosecution’ after threats to arrest ICE agents
In a significant escalation of tensions between federal and state authorities over immigration enforcement, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a stern warning to California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, regarding any attempts to obstruct federal law enforcement officers. The warning comes in response to a statement made by Pelosi and fellow California Representative Kevin Mullin, who threatened to arrest federal agents if they were to conduct operations that violate state laws. Blanche’s letter emphasizes that federal agents are operating within their legal rights, and any interference from state or local officials would not only be illegal but also ineffective.
Blanche’s letter underscores the legal framework supporting federal authority, referencing specific federal statutes that criminalize actions against federal officers, and invoking the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution, which asserts that federal law takes precedence over state law. He directed California officials to preserve all communications related to any attempts to obstruct federal efforts, signaling that the Department of Justice is prepared to investigate and prosecute any violations. In his public statements, Blanche made it clear that federal agents will not be intimidated, asserting, “No one threatens our agents. No one will stop us from Making America Safe Again,” reinforcing the commitment of the federal government to enforce immigration laws despite local opposition.
The backdrop to this conflict includes ongoing debates over immigration policy and enforcement, with California often positioning itself as a sanctuary state that prioritizes the protection of immigrant communities. Pelosi’s statement criticized planned mass immigration raids, describing them as an “appalling abuse of law enforcement power,” and expressed solidarity with immigrants as vital contributors to American society. This situation highlights the broader national discourse on immigration, law enforcement, and the balance of power between state and federal authorities, as California continues to challenge federal immigration policies under the Biden administration. As this confrontation unfolds, the implications for both local governance and federal law enforcement remain significant, raising questions about the future of immigration enforcement in the state and the potential for legal battles ahead.
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U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a formal letter to top
California officials
Thursday, warning them against any attempts to arrest or impede federal law enforcement officers enforcing immigration laws.
The letter, addressed to Gov.
Gavin Newsom;
state Attorney General Rob Bonta; Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; and San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, stressed that federal agents and officers are carrying out lawful duties, and any interference by state or local officials is both “illegal and futile.”
The letter was sent after Pelosi, the former House Speaker, and Rep. Kevin Mullin, D-Calif., issued a statement Wednesday threatening to arrest federal agents if they break California law.
If convicted, the Democrats noted, President
Donald Trump
cannot pardon agents.
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“Reports of a planned mass immigration raid in the Bay Area are an appalling abuse of law enforcement power,” Pelosi and Mullin wrote in the statement. “While the President may enjoy absolute immunity courtesy of his rogue Supreme Court, those who operate under his orders do not. … The people of
San Francisco
will continue to stand with the patriotic immigrants who are the constant reinvigoration of America.”
Blanche shared his response in an X post, writing, “We just sent them a letter: Stand down or face prosecution. No one threatens our agents. No one will stop us from Making America Safe Again.”
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The letter cites several federal statutes that criminalize assaulting, impeding or conspiring against federal officers, and notes the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution dictates state officials cannot prosecute federal agents for actions taken in the course of their duties.
Blanche directed California leaders to “preserve all written and electronic communications and records related to any attempts or efforts to impede or obstruct federal law enforcement officials,” forewarning that the
Department of Justice
will investigate and prosecute any official who violates federal statutes.
“We urge you and other California officials to publicly abandon this apparent criminal conspiracy, to stop threatening law enforcement, and to prioritize the safety of your citizens,” Blanche wrote.
Pelosi’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
