The Justice Department escalated its confrontation with sanctuary jurisdictions this week, threatening to sue states that block Department of Homeland Security officers from obtaining undercover license plates. In a sharply worded letter, Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate declared such policies “unconstitutional” and “dangerous.”
“Some states are refusing to issue license plates to federal law enforcement. It’s dangerous, shameful, and unconstitutional,” Shumate wrote on X. “It needs to stop now. Under @DAGToddBlanche, this @TheJusticeDept stands with our brave law enforcement officers.”
The letter, sent to Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, invokes the Supremacy Clause to argue that federal law overrides state-level refusals. It demands the state rescind its policy by May 22 or face a federal lawsuit. Shumate also sent similar warnings to Maine’s attorney general and the governors of Oregon and Massachusetts.
“This discriminatory policy is not only deeply dangerous as a matter of public safety but also blatantly unlawful as a matter of constitutional law. It should be immediately withdrawn; otherwise, the United States intends to seek judicial relief,” Shumate wrote. He added that Washington’s Department of Licensing policies “undermine ongoing investigations and put federal law enforcement officers at risk of harm.”
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche reinforced the message, posting on X that “Sanctuary policies that obstruct ICE from performing its lawful mission to protect public safety are inexcusable.” He noted that “removing criminal aliens from American communities is a priority, and unconstitutional actions that prevent this will be dealt with.”
The move aligns with the approach of former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who vowed to sue sanctuary cities protecting undocumented immigrants. The administration has been pressing states to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, a key part of its broader crackdown on illegal immigration. The Trump administration’s anti-fraud efforts targeting Democratic states have similarly drawn legal pushback from critics who see them as politically motivated.
Washington’s attorney general’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The state has been a focal point in the battle over sanctuary policies, which some Republicans say undermine public safety. A former Republican congressman recently warned that the GOP risks midterm losses without immigration reform, highlighting the political stakes of the issue.
The DOJ’s letters signal that the department is prepared to take legal action if states do not comply. The dispute underscores the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and state-level resistance, a dynamic that has played out in courts and legislatures across the country. As the administration pushes for tougher enforcement, the fight over undercover license plates represents just the latest front in a broader war over immigration policy and federal authority.
