WASHINGTON, DC – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche had some harsh words for Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi after the former House speaker threatened to have Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested by state and local authorities. In a letter addressed to Rep. Pelosi and other officials in California, the deputy attorney general noted attempts to arrest ICE agents performing their duties are both “illegal” and “futile.”
Earlier in October, Rep. Pelosi claimed local authorities in California could “arrest federal agents if they break California law,” with the Democratic congresswoman expanding on such a hypothetical by adding, “And if they are convicted, the President cannot pardon them.”
Despite Rep. Pelosi’s assertions, as well as recent legislation passed within California banning federal agents from wearing masks while engaged in their duties, state and local law enforcement officers cannot arrest federal agents – nor can any state prosecute them - for any conduct directly tied to the course of their official duties.
This was the exact message of Deputy AG Blanche’s October 23 letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, Rep. Pelosi, and others who’ve perpetuated claims that federal agents could face arrest and prosecution in California for carrying out immigration enforcement operations. Furthermore, Deputy AG Blanche also pointed out that calls to action like Rep. Pelosi’s could result in federal charges against any officials engaging in or encouraging this behavior.
“The Department of Justice views any arrests of federal agents and officers in the performance of their official duties as both illegal and futile,” Deputy AG Blanche noted, adding, “Numerous federal laws prohibit interfering with and impeding immigration or other law-enforcement operations.”
The deputy attorney general also foreshadowed a potential legal showdown with the likes of Rep. Pelosi in his letter, writing, “The Department of Justice will investigate and prosecute any state or local official who violates these federal statutes (or directs or conspires with others to violate them). Accordingly, you are hereby directed to preserve all written and electronic communications and records related to any attempts or efforts to impede or obstruct federal law enforcement officials.”
During an appearance on Fox News, AG Pam Bondi echoed these very sentiments, telling Fox News host Jesse Watters, “We told them, preserve your emails, preserve everything you have on this topic, because if you are telling people to arrest our ICE officers, our federal agents, you cannot do that. You're impeding an investigation, and we will charge them.”
AG Bondi mentioned Rep. Pelosi specifically during the Fox News segment, stating, “You've got Pelosi out there, saying to obstruct their investigation: you can't do it. And we're going to investigate her now, as well as that DA.”
Earlier in October, Rep. Pelosi claimed local authorities in California could “arrest federal agents if they break California law,” with the Democratic congresswoman expanding on such a hypothetical by adding, “And if they are convicted, the President cannot pardon them.”
Despite Rep. Pelosi’s assertions, as well as recent legislation passed within California banning federal agents from wearing masks while engaged in their duties, state and local law enforcement officers cannot arrest federal agents – nor can any state prosecute them - for any conduct directly tied to the course of their official duties.
This was the exact message of Deputy AG Blanche’s October 23 letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, Rep. Pelosi, and others who’ve perpetuated claims that federal agents could face arrest and prosecution in California for carrying out immigration enforcement operations. Furthermore, Deputy AG Blanche also pointed out that calls to action like Rep. Pelosi’s could result in federal charges against any officials engaging in or encouraging this behavior.
“The Department of Justice views any arrests of federal agents and officers in the performance of their official duties as both illegal and futile,” Deputy AG Blanche noted, adding, “Numerous federal laws prohibit interfering with and impeding immigration or other law-enforcement operations.”
The deputy attorney general also foreshadowed a potential legal showdown with the likes of Rep. Pelosi in his letter, writing, “The Department of Justice will investigate and prosecute any state or local official who violates these federal statutes (or directs or conspires with others to violate them). Accordingly, you are hereby directed to preserve all written and electronic communications and records related to any attempts or efforts to impede or obstruct federal law enforcement officials.”
During an appearance on Fox News, AG Pam Bondi echoed these very sentiments, telling Fox News host Jesse Watters, “We told them, preserve your emails, preserve everything you have on this topic, because if you are telling people to arrest our ICE officers, our federal agents, you cannot do that. You're impeding an investigation, and we will charge them.”
AG Bondi mentioned Rep. Pelosi specifically during the Fox News segment, stating, “You've got Pelosi out there, saying to obstruct their investigation: you can't do it. And we're going to investigate her now, as well as that DA.”
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