U.S. Attorney General Bondi Launches Investigations into Three Prominent Democrats Over Alleged ICE Obstruction

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has initiated investigations into House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, alleging their actions regarding federal immigration agents could violate federal law. The investigations stem from local initiatives aimed at documenting alleged abuses by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during federal operations. Bondi stated her office is sending letters instructing the officials to preserve all relevant communications, warning of potential charges for impeding federal investigations or disclosing agent identities.

The controversy escalated following former Mayor Lightfoot's announcement of the "ICE Accountability Project." This initiative, launched with other attorneys, aims to create a centralized archive of alleged criminal actions by ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. Lightfoot indicated the project would "unmask" agents by documenting physical traits, clothing, and vehicles, though not their names, asserting a constitutional right to document activities on public property.

Concurrently, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker established the "Illinois Accountability Commission" on October 23, 2025, to record what he described as "countless acts of intimidation and brutality" by federal agents during "Operation Midway Blitz." Pritzker emphasized the commission's goal to create a public record of alleged abuses and their impact on families, with former federal judge Ruben Castillo heading the effort. Homeland Security officials have criticized these state and local efforts, with Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin condemning them for "smearing law enforcement."

Attorney General Bondi, in an interview on "Jesse Watters Primetime," directly addressed the initiatives. > "The first time I saw the Lori Lightfoot video was just now on your show," Bondi stated, adding, "She’ll be getting a letter tomorrow to preserve everything — it appears she’s violating the law. You can’t disclose the identity or location of federal agents." Bondi confirmed that Pelosi and Pritzker were also on the list to receive letters. She warned that "If they’re telling people to obstruct or arrest ICE agents, that’s impeding an investigation. We will charge them." The Department of Justice's letters reportedly cite federal statutes criminalizing assaults, impediments, or conspiracies against federal officers, alongside the U.S. Constitution's supremacy clause.

This federal action underscores a growing tension between the U.S. Department of Justice, under Attorney General Bondi's leadership, and state and local officials in jurisdictions that have adopted policies perceived as resistant to federal immigration enforcement. The investigations signal a strong stance from the federal government against any actions it deems obstructive to its operations.