The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on Thursday against Maine after Secretary of State Shenna Bellows refused to issue undercover license plates to ICE agents executing federal law enforcement activities in Maine.
“Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe and must be able to carry out their duties effectively. By denying undercover license plates to DHS components, including ICE, while issuing them to their own state agencies, these governors are pursuing discriminatory and obstructionist policies against federal law enforcement. These actions undermine federal immigration enforcement, allow dangerous criminals to escape justice, and terrorize American communities,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The suit specifically names Bellows, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, Gov. Janet Mills (D-Maine) and the state itself as defendants.
The lawsuit argues that Maine’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), headed by the Secretary of State, is illegally discriminating against federal agencies while allowing state agencies to continue using confidential plates.
The suit also accuses Maine of violating the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which ensures that states do not have the power to dictate how federal authority is exercised within their borders.
“Maine’s restrictions are also illegal because through those restrictions on Federal Government operations, Maine seeks to regulate the Federal Government’s operations within the state by restricting which official duties an agent may execute and which federal laws the Federal Government may enforce,” says the lawsuit.
Acting AG Blanche argued that the decision places federal agents at unnecessary risk, allowing them to be tracked by dangerous criminals or people seeking to harass them and hinder operations and allowing criminals to evade agents.
The suit requests that the court rule the BMV’s decision unconstitutional and that it bar the defendants from enforcing the decision. It also requests that the court costs be awarded to the U.S. to be paid by the defendants and, by extension, Maine taxpayers.
The DOJ also filed similar lawsuits against Washington, Oregon, and Massachusetts.
The lawsuit comes after Frey and Bellows rejected a letter from the DOJ threatening legal action if the state continued to refuse to issue undercover plates to federal immigration officials.
Wow. She is the worst.
about time someone hit crazy eyes, the pompous blowhard and the withered old general where it hurts. Not to mention crazy eyes breaking laws by allowing herself to be SOS while running for gov(last I heard)
Sheena Bellows is like a malignant cancer on Maine .
It’s keeps growing and getting worse with every passing day .
From trying to prevent a candidate on a ballot , to deliberately misleading wording referendums , to preventing referendums altogether …..
……she is a pox on the people of Maine .
We can not be done with her soon enough .
THROW THE BOOK AT HER !
I’m sure there are plenty of patriots in this state that will lend ICE their vehicles with
a full tank of gas. Or just drive without plates, federal law surpasses state law! In the meantime, hit Augusta where it hurts!
Very well just activate and roll in the national guard then send general mills the bill. Check it out, I found bellows picture on the net under momo. Uncanny resemblance.
Great reporting as always Seamus.
Never stop revealing the clown show that is Maine democratic politics with Bozo Bellows as the main attraction….along with Sideshow Mills.
Can’t make this dysfunction up.
Boys in girls rooms….come on!!
MAINERS, TAKE YOUR STATE BACK!!!
It’s no surprise Democrats are ignoring, and fighting the Federal Government. They set the precedent in the 1860’s.
what country does she want to live in?
Bellows is the worst!
Time that Homeland Security close down customs at sanctuary City airports.
Bellows would do well to move to Minnesota. I hear they have great Autism help programs…………
Good. Too bad she won’t suffer for it
ICE can use my vehicle