Democrat sanctuary leaders defy Trump admin ultimatum: ‘No intention of changing’

Sanctuary jurisdictions are remaining defiant after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a deadline to begin cooperating with federal authorities by this week. States like Washington say they have “no intention of changing our values in the face of threats from the Trump administration.”

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, sent Bondi a response letter in which he wrote, “You are hereby notified that Washington State will not be bullied or intimidated by threats and legally baseless accusations.”

In his response to Bondi, which was shared with Fox News Digital, Ferguson wrote that “our state legislature passed a bipartisan law that appropriately and lawfully limits the diversion of our state and local resources to federal immigration enforcement.” He also ripped into Bondi personally, writing that her “threat to criminally prosecute state officials embarrasses and disgraces the office.”

“Washington State is proud to be a welcoming community that values immigrants’ and refugees’ contributions to our economy and our cultural fabric. We do so while accounting for and complying with applicable federal law,” he claimed.

ICE UNVEILS PLANS FOR NEW DETENTION FACILITIES ACROSS THE US

“You seem to believe that cavalierly threatening criminal prosecution will result in me compromising the values of my state. Never,” he added. “I am prepared to defend Washington from any litigation you wish to pursue. If you choose to challenge me and my state, be advised that we will defeat you and seek all appropriate costs and fees.”

In another X post, Ferguson wrote, “Washington state has no intention of changing our values in the face of threats from the Trump administration.”

Bondi announced Thursday she had sent letters giving sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide one week to comply with federal immigration laws or face Department of Justice action. Speaking on Fox Business, Bondi said she sent letters to 32 mayors and seven governors, “telling them you better comply or you’re next.”

Bondi highlighted a letter she sent to California Gov. Gavin Newsom in which she warned that “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…