Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a warning letter to several prominent California Democrats, cautioning that recent threats to arrest federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could lead to a federal investigation and possible prosecution.
The letter was sent in response to comments from Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) suggesting that state or local law enforcement could detain ICE agents if they were found to have violated California law.
In the letter, Blanche criticized Democratic leaders for failing to support federal immigration officers and instead threatening them with arrest. He also made clear that continued interference with federal law enforcement operations would not be tolerated.
“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 wrote. “Numerous federal laws prohibit interfering with and impeding immigration or other law-enforcement operations.”
Blanche, pointing to the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution as an example, warned that the DOJ will “investigate and prosecute any state or local official” who attempts to defy federal statutes.
The letter was addressed to Pelosi, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, all Democrats.
He went on to advise the recipients to “preserve all written and electronic communications and records related to any attempts or efforts to impede or obstruct federal law enforcement officials,” strongly suggesting they “publicly abandon” threats against ICE agents.
We reported on the “despicable” threat issued by Pelosi and Democrat Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) earlier this week.
“It is important to note that California law protects communities and prevents federal agents from taking certain actions here that we have witnessed in other states,” the duo said in a statement.
“While the President may enjoy absolute immunity courtesy of his rogue Supreme Court, those who operate under his orders do not,” they continued. “Our state and local authorities may arrest federal agents if they break California law — and if they are convicted, the President cannot pardon them.”
Pelosi and Mullin went on to praise “patriotic immigrants” for reinvigorating America, which is a weird way to say “criminal illegal immigrants” who are destroying America.
“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 concludes in his letter.
“In the meantime, federal agents and officers will continue to enforce federal law and will not be deterred by the threat of arrest by California authorities who have abdicated their duty to protect their constituents.”
“Stand down or face prosecution,” Blanche added in a post on X. “No one threatens our agents. No one will stop us from Making America Safe Again.”
Democrats have it completely backward — they bend over backwards to defend illegal aliens while treating the men and women enforcing our laws like criminals. It’s twisted beyond belief. What a sick party.