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The Newsfeed: Gov. Ferguson defies DOJ threats to sanctuary laws

The U.S. Attorney General sent a letter asking how Washington plans to eliminate policies or programs that conflict with federal immigration enforcement.

The Newsfeed: Gov. Ferguson defies DOJ threats to sanctuary laws

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Paris Jackson

Shannen Ortale

by

Paris Jackson Shannen Ortale Sep 5, 2025

Sep 5, 2025

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                <h1>The Newsfeed: Gov. Ferguson defies DOJ threats to sanctuary laws</h1>
                <h2><p>The U.S. Attorney General sent a letter asking how Washington plans to eliminate policies or programs that conflict with federal immigration enforcement.</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/paris-jackson/">Paris Jackson</a></p>  <p>By <a href="/author/shannen-ortale/">Shannen Ortale</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Sep 5, 2025</time></p>
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<p>Washington’s governor is standing up to the Trump administration amid efforts to pressure the state to drop so-called sanctuary policies. &nbsp;</p><p>In August, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to Governor Bob Ferguson setting a deadline for him to outline the ways the state planned to eliminate any laws, policies and programs that conflict with immigration enforcement. &nbsp;</p><p> On the day his response was due, Ferguson instead held a press conference to say that Washington would not be bullied or intimidated by what he called “threats and legally baseless accusations.” &nbsp;</p><p>Bondi sent similar letters to more than 30 states, counties and cities with similar policies, including the city of Seattle.  &nbsp;</p><p>She said federal agencies are currently identifying grants, contracts and funding that could be modified to punish noncompliance. &nbsp;</p><p>Ferguson said the threats “embarrass and disgrace” the office of the U.S. Attorney General, and that he plans to fight the matter in court if it comes to that. &nbsp;</p>
          </article>

Washington’s governor is standing up to the Trump administration amid efforts to pressure the state to drop so-called sanctuary policies. 

In August, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to Governor Bob Ferguson setting a deadline for him to outline the ways the state planned to eliminate any laws, policies and programs that conflict with immigration enforcement. 

 On the day his response was due, Ferguson instead held a press conference to say that Washington would not be bullied or intimidated by what he called “threats and legally baseless accusations.” 

Bondi sent similar letters to more than 30 states, counties and cities with similar policies, including the city of Seattle.  

She said federal agencies are currently identifying grants, contracts and funding that could be modified to punish noncompliance. 

Ferguson said the threats “embarrass and disgrace” the office of the U.S. Attorney General, and that he plans to fight the matter in court if it comes to that. 

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Paris Jackson

By Paris Jackson

Paris Jackson is the host of The Newsfeed. She’s an Emmy Award-winning journalist who's spent more than 15 years in commercial television and public media.

Paris Jackson is the host of The Newsfeed. She’s an Emmy Award-winning journalist who's spent more than 15 years in commercial television and public media.

Shannen Ortale

By Shannen Ortale

Shannen Ortale is a producer at Cascade PBS. She formerly worked as a freelancer & film festival programmer. She also served as a producer & educator for community media & public television in Boston.

Shannen Ortale is a producer at Cascade PBS. She formerly worked as a freelancer & film festival programmer. She also served as a producer & educator for community media & public television in Boston.