US Attorney General Pam Bondi has sent letters to dozens of cities and counties, threatening to prosecute local leaders and strip federal funds if they do not cooperate with Donald Trump's deportation scheme. The warnings target sanctuary policies that prevent local law enforcement from sharing information with immigration officials.
The move is part of a broader crackdown on Democratic-run cities, with Trump sending military forces to Washington DC against local wishes. Bondi told Fox News that local leaders must abide by federal policies or face consequences. Trump has long criticised cities like Baltimore, Oakland, Los Angeles and Chicago as liberal 'hellholes' in need of federal intervention.
Bondi's letters warn that individuals who obstruct immigration enforcement may face criminal charges. Trump has directed federal agencies to tie immigration-related conditions to grants and contracts, a tactic previously attempted but blocked in court. The administration is seeking to escalate its war on cities through financial pressure and potential arrests.
Cities are preparing to fight back legally. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said his city will remain a 'welcoming city for all' and defend itself in court. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott vowed to take any necessary legal action to resist, with support from other mayors across the country.
