Trump's Attorney General Goes After Letitia James, Kathy Hochul Over Immigration Enforcement in New York

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a lawsuit Wednesday evening against New York state, Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder over New York's "Green Light Law," which allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses while restricting data-sharing with federal immigration authorities.

Bondi argued that the "Green Light Law" unlawfully prevents state and local agencies from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. She claimed the law's "tip-off" provision—requiring the DMV to inform undocumented immigrants when federal agencies request their information—is unconstitutional.

"This is a new DOJ," Bondi announced in a press conference Thursday. "New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops today."

The lawsuit comes just days after the Justice Department filed similar charges against Illinois and Chicago for allegedly obstructing federal immigration enforcement. "We sued Illinois," Bondi stated. "New York didn't listen—so, now, you're next."

Bondi vowed to continue targeting sanctuary jurisdictions, stating that "state and local jurisdictions must comply with applicable immigration-related federal laws."

On Saturday it was reported that Trump would revoke security clearance for a number of current and former national security and law enforcement figures who participated in legal cases against him, including Letitia James. Viewed as a retaliatory move by many, the new charges filed against Trump's known political rival contribute to speculation that Pam Bondi's DOJ will be weaponized against the president's political adversaries.

Bondi responded to concerns regarding the Department's potential weaponization in her Senate confirmation hearing. "That's the whole problem with...what's been happening to Donald Trump," she said, describing Trump's prosecution as the political weaponization of the DOJ. "If I am Attorney General, I will not politicize that office, I will not target people simply because of their political affiliation. The partisanship, the weaponization, will be gone."

Speculation regarding the DOJ's politicization was also aroused Tuesday, when corruption charges against New York City's mayor, Eric Adams were dropped. The decision follows recent reports that Adams urged his team to refrain from criticizing Trump or his administration and to avoid interfering in federal immigration enforcement.

When Bondi was asked about the dismissal of the corruption case against Adams, she said the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York had not yet moved for the case to be dismissed but said that it should be.