The Trump administration is taking strong action against sanctuary city policies, aiming to challenge state and local governments that oppose federal immigration enforcement. A memo from Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove outlines plans to investigate and potentially prosecute state and municipal officials who resist immigration-related directives. Federal prosecutors who decline to pursue such cases will be referred to the Justice Department for further review. The memo emphasizes that federal law prohibits local authorities from obstructing immigration enforcement.

Additionally, the memo directs the Department of Justice’s civil division to identify and challenge laws that impede Trump’s immigration measures. This directive is seen as part of a broader strategy to create policies resistant to legal challenges.

In related actions, President Trump signed several executive orders to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within federal agencies. A memo from the Office of Personnel Management instructs agencies to close DEI offices, place employees on paid leave, and end DEI-related programs. Agencies are also directed to eliminate DEI-related contracts and training. These measures follow Trump’s executive order to halt federal DEI programs, arguing that such initiatives violate civil rights laws by favoring race, sex, or disability-based preferences in hiring and services.

Trump’s policies aim to prioritize merit-based hiring and argue that race- and sex-based preferences undermine fairness and safety in critical sectors like government, aviation, and law enforcement. His administration asserts that DEI programs harm Americans by penalizing qualified individuals in favor of arbitrary criteria, which could jeopardize national security and job performance.