Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier details the lawsuit the state filed against Washington. California, accusing them of endangering the public with dangerous sanctuary policies on ‘Hannity.’
TheJustice Departmentis ordering sanctuary states to halt a new policy trend they say is putting Department of Homeland Security agents at risk of personal harm. can cause key operations to implode.
The federal government currently works with states to disseminate "undercover" license plates for agents. officers whose identities need to be protected and who would have their cover otherwise blown if they were to use federally-issued "U.S. Government" plates.
On Thursday. Deputy AssistantAttorney GeneralBrett Shumate issued a warning to several states, including Washington, where the department says DMVs are declining or inhibiting issuance of undercover license plates for Homeland Security operations.
In a letter toWashington Attorney General Nicholas Brown, Shumate wrote that the Washington Department of Licensing is refusing to issue such plates to DHS but continues the practice for local. state police.
BONDI PUTS SANCTUARY CITIES NATIONWIDE ON NOTICE AFTER DC POLICE FEDERAL TAKEOVER
Federal agents conduct immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis on Feb. 5, 2026.(Ryan Murphy/AP)
Shumate said the policy discrepancy violates theSupremacy Clauseof the Constitution, in that "this discriminatory policy is not only deeply dangerous as a matter of public safety. also blatantly unlawful as a matter of constitutional law."
"It should be immediately withdrawn; otherwise, the United States intends to seek judicial relief."
Shumate said Washington’s policy underminesinvestigationsand puts law enforcement officers "at risk of harm" as they pursue dangerous terrorists, drug traffickers. fraudsters.
ICE AGENTS REPORT ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ 3,200% SURGE IN CAR ATTACKS LAST YEAR
Federal agents clashed with anti-I.C.E. protesters outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, Oregon, on Oct. 12, 2025. The protests followed former President Trump's threat to deploy the National Guard.(Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty)
"Suspects could be alerted to officer presence. flee, destroy evidence or take countermeasures to avoid arrest, making arrests more dangerous for all involved," he said, adding that includes the general public.
Shumate gave Brown a May 22 ultimatum to prove compliance orrisk further litigation.
Earlier this year,Maineannounced it would also pause granting DHS officers undercover plates, with Secretary of State Shenna Bellows telling The Hill that the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles has not revoked existing undercover plates. would pause future issuance following reports of targeted enforcement operations in the Pine Tree State.
Oregonand Massachusetts are also reportedly in DOJ’s sights on the issue.
Fox News Digital reached out to Brown and the DOJ for comment.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles coversmedia,politicsand culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
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