'Obligated to Comply': Top Trump Official Issues New Threat to Longtime Foe

A Trump administration official issued a fresh warning this week aimed at an longtime adversary — sanctuary cities.

Florida Immigrant Rights Advocate Thomas Kennedy shared a letter on Twitter. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning that federal funds could be withheld from municipalities unless they support President Donald Trump’s initiatives on large-scale immigration.

"By accepting these DOT funds, you've committed to binding agreements with the U.S. government and must adhere strictly to all relevant federal laws and regulations. This includes provisions from the United States Constitution, various federal statutes, as well as specific rule and policy mandates aimed at safeguarding freedom of expression, religious freedoms, preventing discrimination, and implementing restrictions related to unlawful immigration," stated the letter.

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The statement further suggests that all DEI objectives and implementations “are presumed to contravene federal legislation.”

Various sections of the correspondence reference particular laws in an effort to back up its requests.

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"Furthermore, your legal duties entail general collaboration with federal agencies in enforcing federal laws. This includes working together with and not hindering U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with other entities within the Department of Homeland Security, as they enforce federal immigration statutes," the correspondence goes on to state.

However, it did not specify what "general cooperation" entails.

The letter warns that nonadherence to relevant federal statutes or lack of cooperation with federal agencies responsible for enforcing these laws may put at risk your ongoing access to federal financial support provided by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and might result in the withdrawal of such funds from DOT,

None of the states or cities have indicated if they plan to contest the letter in court.

Review the entire document here.

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