Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Tuesday that the Justice Department is suing the state of California for violating the United States Constitution by shielding illegal immigrants through the use of three sanctuary city laws.
The lawsuit named California, Gov. Jerry Brown and state Attorney General Xavier Becerra as co-defendants, and Brown and Becerra have now both responded. (RELATED: Trump, DOJ Turn Up The Heat On California’s Sanctuary Cities)
Xavier Becerra, Donald Trump, Jerry Brown (Getty Images)
“At a time of unprecedented political turmoil, Jeff Sessions has come to California to further divide and polarize America,” Brown tweeted Tuesday night. “Jeff, these political stunts may be the norm in Washington, but they don’t work here. SAD!!!”
At a time of unprecedented political turmoil, Jeff Sessions has come to California to further divide and polarize America. Jeff, these political stunts may be the norm in Washington, but they don’t work here. SAD!!!
— Jerry Brown (@JerryBrownGov) March 7, 2018
Becerra delivered a slightly lengthier response via Twitter Tuesday.
“No matter what happens in Washington, California will stay the course and enforce all our laws and protect all our people,” he pledged. “That’s how we keep our communities safe.”
“Like all the men and women who wear the badge in California, I took an oath to uphold the law. That means all of the laws.”
No matter what happens in Washington, #California will stay the course and enforce all our laws and protect all our people. That’s how we keep our communities safe. #Immigration
— Xavier Becerra (@AGBecerra) March 7, 2018
Like all the men and women who wear the badge in #California, I took an oath to uphold the law. That means all of the laws. #Immigration #JeffSessions
— Xavier Becerra (@AGBecerra) March 7, 2018
He added a third tweet, accompanied by The New York Times’ writeup of the lawsuit, Wednesday morning.
In #California, our state laws work in concert with federal law. What we won’t do is change from being focused on public safety. We’re in the business of public safety, not #deportation. https://t.co/4evYFEXqx3 #Immigration #JeffSessions
— Xavier Becerra (@AGBecerra) March 7, 2018
Sessions is expected to expand on the lawsuit during a Wednesday speech in California.