Attorney General Pam Bondi Warns Sanctuary Cities, Threatens Federal Funding Cutoffs

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has issued a strong ultimatum to 32 mayors and seven governors of sanctuary cities and states, warning them to comply with federal immigration laws or face consequences including loss of federal funding and federal law enforcement intervention. This crackdown follows President Donald Trump's directive to restore law and order, exemplified by the federalization of Washington, D.C.'s police force under DEA Administrator Terrence C. Cole, after violent incidents and allegations of manipulated crime data in the city. Bondi emphasized that public safety is non-negotiable and that if local officials fail to protect their citizens, the federal government will intervene. Several cities, including Boston, have resisted these demands, defending their sanctuary policies, while others like Louisville have complied and been removed from the sanctuary city list. Additionally, a deadline passed for 19 cities, 4 counties, and 12 states to respond to Bondi's demand to eliminate policies obstructing federal immigration enforcement or risk losing federal grants and facing possible criminal charges. These moves reflect an ongoing federal effort under Trump’s administration to enforce immigration laws more strictly and penalize jurisdictions maintaining sanctuary policies.