DOJ Warns Pelosi and California Democrats: ‘Stand Down or Face Prosecution’ Over Threats to Arrest Federal Agents

The Department of Justice has issued a blistering rebuke to California officials and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi following their threats to obstruct federal immigration enforcement operations in the state.

In a formal letter sent Thursday, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche warned Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, and Pelosi that any attempt to interfere with federal immigration officers would be “illegal and futile.”

The letter came after Pelosi and Rep. Kevin Mullin publicly threatened to arrest ICE agents who carried out immigration raids in California, accusing President Donald Trump’s administration of “abusing law enforcement power.”

“Reports of a planned mass immigration raid in the Bay Area are an appalling abuse of law enforcement power,” Pelosi and Mullin said in a joint statement. “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 quickly responded on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that the Justice Department had formally ordered California Democrats to back down.

“We just sent them a letter: Stand down or face prosecution,” Blanche wrote. “No one threatens our agents. No one will stop us from Making America Safe Again.”

DOJ: State Officials Have No Authority to Interfere with Federal Law

The DOJ letter cites multiple federal statutes criminalizing the assault, obstruction, or conspiracy against federal officers. Blanche also invoked the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, reminding California leaders that state and local governments cannot prosecute federal officials carrying out their lawful duties.

Blanche ordered Newsom, Bonta, Pelosi, and Jenkins to “preserve all written and electronic communications and records” related to any efforts to obstruct federal enforcement. He warned that the Justice Department will investigate and prosecute any official who violates these laws.

“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.

Pelosi’s Remarks Ignite National Backlash

The clash represents one of the sharpest showdowns yet between President Trump’s administration and California Democrats, who have long fought federal immigration enforcement policies.

Pelosi’s rhetoric — warning that Trump’s agents could face prosecution — sparked widespread outrage among conservatives, who accused her of promoting sedition against lawful federal authority.

While Pelosi’s supporters claimed she was defending “state sovereignty,” legal analysts note that the Constitution leaves no room for states to criminalize or detain federal agents acting under presidential authority.

Federal officials have not revealed details of the expected Bay Area operation, but sources say it may target sanctuary jurisdictions that have shielded criminal non-citizens from deportation.

As of Friday morning, neither Newsom’s office nor the California Attorney General’s office had issued a public response to the DOJ warning.