Photo: Alamy
The Justice Department has warned California’s top political leaders not to obstruct or threaten federal law enforcement officers carrying out immigration operations, saying any such actions would be “illegal and futile.”
In a letter sent Thursday, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche cautioned Gov. Gavin Newsom, state Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins against “any attempts to arrest or impede” federal agents enforcing immigration laws.
The warning followed a joint statement issued Wednesday by Pelosi and Rep. Kevin Mullin, D-Calif., who criticized reports of a planned federal immigration raid in the San Francisco Bay Area and said state authorities could pursue charges against agents who violate California law.
“Reports of a planned mass immigration raid in the Bay Area are an appalling abuse of law enforcement power,” the lawmakers said. “While the President may enjoy absolute immunity courtesy of his rogue Supreme Court, those who operate under his orders do not.”
Blanche posted the Justice Department’s response on X, 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.”
In the letter, Blanche cited multiple federal laws prohibiting the assault, obstruction or conspiracy against federal officers. He also invoked the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which establishes that state officials cannot prosecute federal employees for actions taken in the course of their lawful duties.
He directed the California officials to preserve all communications and records related to any efforts to obstruct federal agents, warning that the Justice Department would investigate and prosecute any violations of federal law.
“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.
“The Department of Justice views any arrests of federal agents and officers in the performance of their official duties as both illegal and futile,” he added. “Numerous federal laws prohibit interfering with and impeding immigration or other law-enforcement operations.”