Democratic AGs Coordinate To Defy ICE

Democratic attorneys general from five states convened secretly in Portland to plot resistance against President Trump’s ICE enforcement, shielding illegal immigration at the expense of American law and order.

Story Highlights

Democratic AGs from Oregon, California, Minnesota, Hawaii, and Maine met privately January 21-22, 2026, in Portland with no public notice or media alerts.
Meeting focused on over 50 lawsuits against Trump’s immigration policies, including ICE operations, tariffs, and birthright citizenship challenges.
Attendees like Minnesota AG Keith Ellison encouraged resistance to federal law enforcement amid recent ICE-related shootings in Portland and Minneapolis.
Oregon AG Dan Rayfield hosted but stayed silent on publicity, despite briefly listing the event on his website.
This cartel-like alliance undermines federal authority and burdens taxpayers with endless legal battles against border security.

Secret Meeting Details

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield hosted Democratic AGs from California, Minnesota, Hawaii, and Maine in Southeast Portland on January 21-22, 2026. The private gathering received no press releases, email notices to media, or public announcements, despite Rayfield’s social media activity. A post-meeting session with non-profit leaders occurred at a local auditorium. PJ Media exposed the event on January 23, highlighting the lack of transparency in discussions targeting Trump administration policies.

History of Legal Resistance

Democratic AGs have filed over 50 lawsuits against President Trump’s second term since January 2025, averaging more than one per week. These target immigration enforcement, tariffs, and birthright citizenship. California AG Rob Bonta boasted of the litigation volume at the meeting. This continues coordinated challenges from Trump’s first term, prioritizing sanctuary state agendas over federal law on border security and public safety.

The pattern echoes past efforts to obstruct ICE, including Minneapolis instructions for city employees to hinder federal agents and Oregon demands for DHS to halt use of force. Such actions frustrate Americans weary of open borders and fiscal waste from illegal immigration.

Key Incidents Fueling Tensions

Recent ICE operations sparked outrage among the AGs. In late 2025, Renee Good died during an ICE encounter in Minneapolis; Minnesota AG Keith Ellison criticized the lack of DOJ investigation and alleged factual errors in his meeting remarks. Early January 2026 saw an ICE shooting outside a Portland hospital, wounding two; Rayfield vowed probes and potential charges against agents. Portland protests intensified, with nightly clashes in the sanctuary city.

Context includes October 2025 Portland suits to block Trump National Guard deployment, denied by Judge Karin Immergut, and ongoing Washington bills banning ex-ICE agents from police roles. Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank testified against them and faced reprimand on January 16, 2026, defending local law enforcement autonomy.

Broader Implications for Law and Order

Short-term clashes escalate protests and federal-state disputes, including Trump DOJ demands for Portland police records under a 2012 settlement. Long-term, Supreme Court rulings on lawsuits could affirm federal immigration authority, weakening sanctuary policies. Washington bills risk centralizing sheriff control, pressuring conservatives to yield to far-left overreach.

Social impacts polarize communities, fostering fear in schools and straining resources. Politically, these moves bolster Trump’s enforcement narrative, exposing Democratic hypocrisy on rule of law while Americans demand secure borders and accountability.