OLYMPIA – Both Senators from the State of Washington issued scathing responses this week to a letter sent by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Bondi’s Letter
On August 13, Bondi issued a letter to Governor Bob Ferguson. The letter warned Ferguson that Washington “has been identified as one that engages in sanctuary policies and practices that thwart federal immigration enforcement.” Bondi claimed that state laws prohibiting local law enforcement from participating in immigration enforcement are a violation of federal laws and executive orders. The letter further alleged that “sanctuary policies” have “obstructed federal immigration enforcement, giving aliens cover to perpetrate crimes in our communities and evade the immigration consequences that federal law requires.”
Bondi threatened Ferguson with arrest and prosecution, saying, “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. As such, I have instructed that all litigating components of the Department and each U.S. Attorney’s Office shall investigate incidents involving any such potential unlawful conduct and shall, where supported by the evidence, prosecute violations of federal laws.”
“This ends now,” Bondi said in her conclusion.
There is no federal law that requires local law enforcement agencies to cooperate or coordinate with federal agencies regarding immigration enforcement. The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits the federal government from commandeering state or local officials to carry out federal regulatory tasks.
Read the full text of Bondi’s letter here:
Ferguson’s Response
Governor Ferguson wasted no time in responding to Bondi’s letter. On August 16, he posted to X.com, “The federal government’s relentless targeting of law-abiding immigrants is wrong. The Keep Washington Working Act is an important law that helps protect Washington families in the face of this assault. The Keep Washington Working Act requires our state and local law enforcement to focus on keeping Washingtonians safe, rather than allowing limited resources to be used for federal immigration enforcement.”
On August 19, he posted, “Attorney General Bondi and President Trump: You are hereby notified that Washington State will not be bullied or intimidated by threats and legally baseless accusations.”
Ferguson also sent a response to Bondi in the form of a letter dated August 19. In it, he said, “Your threat to criminally prosecute state officials embarrasses and disgraces the Office of the United States Attorney General.”
Ferguson concluded his response by saying, “I am not intimidated by you or the President. I will defend our democracy, the rule of law, and the people of my state.”
Read Governor Ferguson’s response here:
Senators Respond
Both of Washington’s senators also issued strong responses to the administration’s threats. In a press release, Cantwell said, “Our limited state and local law enforcement resources are needed to fight violent crime and fentanyl. Washington law prioritizes public safety and provides due process. The Trump administration should stop threatening states and focus on upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.”
Senator Patty Murray’s response was issued on social media, and she pulled no punches. Her post directly targeted White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, saying, “Our immigration enforcement should be focused on violent criminals and true threats to public safety. We should not divert resources to round up law-abiding, taxpaying immigrant workers just because Stephen Miller is a miserable, hate-filled wretch. Washington will keep fighting.”
