DOJ Warns California Leaders to Cease Threats Against ICE Agents

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche sent a stern letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and San Francisco DA Brooke Jenkins warning them not to arrest or obstruct federal immigration agents, calling any such arrests “illegal and futile” and citing federal statutes and the Supremacy Clause. Blanche ordered preservation of all written and electronic communications related to attempts to impede federal law enforcement and threatened DOJ investigation and prosecution of state or local officials who conspire to interfere. The warning follows statements from Pelosi, Rep. Kevin Mullin and others suggesting local authorities could seek to arrest ICE agents who violate state law during raids, and comments from Jenkins about using video to identify alleged excessive force. Blanche signaled the message applies beyond California, DOJ officials emphasized federal agents will continue their operations, and legal precedent for states arresting federal officers is limited.