Democrat sanctuary leaders defy Trump admin ultimatum: ‘No intention of changing’
Kathy Hochul also responded to Bondi’s letter, accusing her of believing that “states are merely vassals of the federal government.” In a statement shared with Fox News Digital, Hochul said, “New York will not be intimidated by threats from the Trump administration. We stand by our values and will continue to protect all residents of our state, regardless of their immigration status.”
Hochul’s office also shared a letter she sent to Bondi, in which she emphasized that New York has “long been a haven for immigrants and refugees seeking a better life.” She wrote, “We will not compromise our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the face of baseless threats from the federal government.”
The response from sanctuary jurisdictions across the country underscores the deep divide between the Trump administration and Democratic-led states and cities on the issue of immigration enforcement. As the standoff continues, it remains to be seen how the conflict will play out in the courts and in the court of public opinion. Kathy Hochul, the Governor of New York, recently shared a letter she sent to Attorney General Bondi accusing her of believing that “states are merely vassals of the federal government.” In the letter, Hochul stated that the disputes between the states and the federal government are currently before the courts for resolution. She emphasized that, in the meantime, she will continue to uphold her constitutional duty to ensure that the laws of New York are faithfully executed.
Fox News Digital reached out to several other officials, including Ferguson, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. However, no statements were received from their offices at the time of publication.
It is clear that there is ongoing tension between certain state officials and the federal government. Hochul’s letter highlights the importance of upholding state laws and duties, even in the face of disagreements with the federal government.
Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz, Danielle Wallace, and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
