President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a federal lawsuit against New York City and Democratic Mayor Eric Adams over the city’s ongoing enforcement of sanctuary policies that, according to the DOJ, shield illegal aliens from federal immigration enforcement and obstruct federal law.
Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly announced the lawsuit on Thursday, stating that New York City’s policies represent a direct violation of the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The clause affirms that federal law takes precedence over conflicting state and local laws.
“New York City has released thousands of criminals on the streets to commit violent crimes against law-abiding citizens due to sanctuary city policies,” Bondi said.
“If New York City won’t stand up for the safety of its citizens, we will.”
The complaint includes a detailed incident that occurred earlier this week, when two illegal aliens—previously released by New York City officials despite detainers filed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—allegedly shot an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer during an attempted robbery in Fort Washington Park.
The suspects ambushed the officer while he was seated alone in the park on July 20, 2025, according to the DOJ’s lawsuit.
The officer