A coalition of progressive district attorneys, backed by significant funding from billionaire George Soros, has unveiled a bold plan to prosecute federal immigration agents within their jurisdictions.
Known as the Project for the Fight Against Federal Overreach (FAFO), this initiative is led by Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner and Minneapolis DA Mary Moriarty, among nine total members. Launched on a Wednesday, the group aims to convene next month to strategize resistance against what they call unlawful federal actions, despite the Supremacy Clause generally protecting federal agents from state prosecution during official duties.
The issue has sparked intense debate over the limits of local power versus federal authority. Critics contend this coalition prioritizes political agendas over public safety, especially given many members' past refusals to cooperate with federal immigration agencies on serious criminal cases. There’s a real concern about undermining law enforcement at a time when border security remains a hot-button issue.
Nearly all coalition members have benefited from substantial campaign contributions from Soros through his Justice & Public Safety PAC, as reported by the Washington Free Beacon. Donations include $1.7 million to Krasner’s first campaign in 2017 and $652,000 to Austin-area DA José Garza in 2020. Such financial ties fuel skepticism about whether this initiative serves justice or a donor-driven ideology.
These prosecutors often face accusations of being overly lenient, with policies like deferring prosecution for petty crimes or ending cash bail. Several have released individuals convicted of violent offenses back into communities, raising questions about their judgment when targeting federal agents instead of local crime.
Take Fairfax, Va., prosecutor Steve Descano, who dropped malicious assault charges against an alleged MS-13 member and ignored an ICE detainer request, only for the suspect to be linked to a murder shortly after release. If public safety isn’t the priority, what exactly is driving this crusade?
Krasner’s own words add fuel to the fire, as he vowed to “hunt” down ICE agents who violate state laws. “If we have to hunt you down the way they hunted down Nazis for decades, we will find your identities,” he declared. Such language isn’t just provocative; it risks inflaming already tense situations.
Minneapolis, under Moriarty’s leadership, has seen its own flashpoints, including recent fatal shootings involving Border Patrol and ICE agents during altercations and protests. Moriarty’s refusal to charge a state employee for vandalizing property in protest of Trump allies only deepens the perception of selective justice.
Then there’s the organizational support from Defiance.org, an anti-Trump group tied to Miles Taylor, who once claimed to be part of an internal “Resistance” during his time at DHS. His current wish to “detonate” the department he helped build hardly inspires confidence in this coalition’s motives.
The coalition’s strategy to prosecute federal agents directly collides with the Trump administration’s stance that these agents hold “absolute” immunity from state-level actions. Legal experts note that while federal immunity exists, it may not cover every scenario, leaving room for courtroom showdowns. This gray area could tie up resources better spent on actual crime prevention.
FAFO, which cheekily also stands for a less polite phrase, claims to rely on small-dollar donors, according to spokesman Scott Goodstein. Yet the heavy Soros funding behind its members tells a different story about who’s really pulling the strings.
Look at Krasner’s track record: in 2021, he vacated a life sentence for a convicted murderer, only for that individual to kill again months after release. When accountability seems so selective, it’s hard to take these prosecutors seriously as champions of law and order.
Beyond the legal posturing, there’s a deeper worry about community impact, especially in cities like Minneapolis, where unrest tied to immigration enforcement has flared. Soros-funded groups like the Sunrise Movement have encouraged harassment of ICE agents, even listing hotels where they stay, leading to property damage during riots.
Many of these DAs have historically opposed mandatory minimums for violent crimes while focusing energy on federal agents doing their jobs. It’s a curious set of priorities that leaves everyday citizens wondering who’s actually looking out for their safety.
Ultimately, this coalition’s actions could set a dangerous precedent, eroding the delicate balance between state and federal powers. If local prosecutors can target federal agents with impunity, what stops the reverse from happening? This isn’t just a policy spat; it’s a gamble with the rule of law itself.