The Justice Department just dropped the hammer on California.
U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche sent a scathing letter Thursday to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, and San Francisco D.A. Brooke Jenkins, warning them to back off federal immigration enforcement — or face the consequences.
Blanche’s message was blunt: any attempt to arrest or interfere with federal officers enforcing immigration law is both “illegal and futile.”
The showdown erupted after Pelosi and Rep. Kevin Mullin issued a fiery statement on Wednesday, threatening to arrest federal agents if they “break California law.”
“Reports of a planned mass immigration raid in the Bay Area are an appalling abuse of law enforcement power,” Pelosi and Mullin wrote. “While the President may enjoy absolute immunity courtesy of his rogue Supreme Court, those who operate under his orders do not. … The people of San Francisco will continue to stand with the patriotic immigrants who are the constant reinvigoration of America.”
Blanche wasted no time hitting back — and he did it publicly.
“We just sent them a letter: Stand down or face prosecution,” Blanche wrote on X. “No one threatens our agents. No one will stop us from Making America Safe Again.”
California politicians want to arrest federal agents for enforcing federal law.
We just sent them a letter: Stand down or face prosecution.
No one threatens our agents. No one will stop us from Making America Safe Again. pic.twitter.com/xe0EK8QssO— Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) October 23, 2025
The letter cites federal statutes protecting law enforcement and the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, reminding California that it cannot prosecute federal agents for doing their jobs.
Blanche also ordered state leaders to preserve all records and communications related to any interference efforts, warning the DOJ will investigate and prosecute any official who crosses the line.
“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 wrote.
It’s the latest flashpoint in the growing war between President Trump’s Justice Department and California’s defiant Democrats.
More over at Fox News:
DOJ warns California officials to 'stand down or face prosecution' after threats to arrest ICE agentshttps://t.co/x8KYOzSpZJ
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) October 24, 2025
BREAKING: Trump DOJ Issues Ultimatum to Pelosi, Pritzker: 'Stand Down' on ICE Arrest Threats or Face Criminal Charges.pic.twitter.com/9cSv8QDaB6
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) October 24, 2025
Thank you for visiting