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 August 16, 2025

Pam Bondi threatens sanctuary cities with revoked federal funding

Attorney General Pam Bondi is cracking down on sanctuary cities, signaling a no-nonsense approach to federal immigration enforcement. On Thursday, in Greenville, South Carolina, she announced a bold move to hold 32 mayors and multiple governors accountable for defying federal law. Her message: comply or face the Department of Justice’s wrath.

Fox News reported that Bondi, temporarily overseeing Washington, D.C.’s police at President Trump’s direction, sent letters to sanctuary jurisdictions from California to New York, demanding compliance within one week.

This action follows the DOJ’s identification of nearly three dozen non-compliant cities, counties, and states just days earlier. It’s a calculated escalation in the fight against policies that shield unauthorized migrants.

Speaking at a Greenville panel with South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Bondi praised the state’s model of cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement.

South Carolina’s recent fentanyl seizure—156 pounds worth $1.7 million, enough to kill 36 million people—underscored the stakes. Bondi’s point: strong partnerships save lives, while sanctuary policies invite chaos.

Letters Demand Swift Compliance

Bondi’s letters, sent to leaders like California Governor Gavin Newsom, didn’t mince words. “Individuals operating under the color of law… may be subject to criminal charges,” she warned Newsom, emphasizing that cooperation is critical for national security. Sanctuary jurisdictions, she argued, undermine the rule of law by prioritizing unauthorized migrants over citizens.

“Any sanctuary jurisdiction that continues to put illegal aliens ahead of American citizens can either come to the table or see us in court,” Bondi declared on social media.

This isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a promise of lawsuits, building on prior DOJ actions against states like California and Illinois. Her tone suggests she’s ready to play hardball.

Four states—California, New York, Colorado, and Illinois—have already faced DOJ lawsuits over their immigration policies.

A federal judge in Illinois dismissed one such case, citing constitutional protections for state sovereignty. Bondi’s latest move seems to double down, daring jurisdictions to test her resolve.

South Carolina’s fentanyl bust, involving DEA agents and local deputies, resulted in the arrest of two California brothers. Bondi highlighted this as proof that cooperation works, contrasting it with sanctuary cities’ defiance. The seizure’s scale—potentially lethal to millions—drives home the urgency of her campaign.

A Sinaloa Cartel member’s arrest in Myrtle Beach for cocaine trafficking further showcased South Carolina’s proactive stance.

Bondi thanked Alan Wilson for fostering ties with federal agencies like the FBI and DEA. It’s a blueprint she wants replicated nationwide, no exceptions.

“It starts at the top, and our leaders have to support our law enforcement,” Bondi told Fox News Digital. She’s right—officers risk their lives daily, and sanctuary policies tie their hands. The contrast between South Carolina’s teamwork and New York’s resistance couldn’t be starker.

New York’s Sanctuary Struggles

New York City’s sanctuary status has drawn Bondi’s ire, despite Mayor Eric Adams’ recent cooperation with border czar Tom Homan. Bondi previously criticized Adams for enabling policies that let criminals slip through. Her letters signal she’s not buying the city’s half-measures.

Alan Wilson pointed to the tragic case of Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student murdered by someone released under New York’s sanctuary policies. “It affects us all when other states don’t step up,” Wilson told Fox News Digital. His words sting, exposing the ripple effects of lax enforcement.

New York City’s police department faced a retirement surge after Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s primary win in June 2025.

Officers, demoralized by progressive policies, are voting with their feet. Bondi’s push for compliance aims to restore order, but she’s fighting an uphill battle in liberal strongholds.

“Oh, let’s wait and see what’s going to happen,” Bondi quipped to Fox News Digital, noting the one-week deadline for responses. Her sarcasm barely masks her determination to hold sanctuary leaders accountable. Jurisdictions ignoring her warning risk DOJ lawsuits or worse—criminal charges for obstruction.

President Trump’s directive to identify and notify sanctuary jurisdictions set this showdown in motion. Bondi’s letters underscore his administration’s focus on full cooperation in immigration enforcement. It’s a policy rooted in the belief that national security demands unity, not defiance.

The DOJ’s resolve to “eradicate these harmful policies” signals no retreat, even after setbacks like Illinois’ dismissed lawsuit. Bondi’s campaign is a wake-up call for sanctuary jurisdictions: comply or brace for a legal storm. American citizens, she argues, deserve nothing less.

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