Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson’s message to President Trump: ‘We will stand up to you’
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has a message for the president: Abuse your authority and “we will stand up to you.”
Ferguson delivered the message on Feb. 13 at a conference room in the Capitol, flanked by various statewide officials. He told reporters that the first few weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term have been “chaotic,” to “put it mildly.”
State leaders will continue fighting to safeguard Washington’s values, Ferguson said, and will work together to make the state more affordable and safe.
Still, he said, there are some serious challenges afoot due to the Trump administration’s recent actions — including attempts to freeze federal funding. Other rights at risk include reproductive freedom and health care for transgender people.
Ferguson vowed in his inauguration speech to work with the president when possible and to push back when necessary. He echoed that refrain on Feb. 13.
“My message to President Trump is fairly simple: I’ll work with you in areas of common interest, but you’re making it tough,” he said Feb. 13. “But I’m still committed to that. I really am. But if you overstep your authority, we will stand up to you.”
The governor said that the president’s “chaos” won’t stop Washington officials from working for the people.
“We will continue to do our jobs and serve the everyday needs of Washingtonians while we are protecting Washingtonians from any cruel and unconstitutional actions,” he said. “Is what’s happening in D.C. taking some of my time as governor? Yes, of course it is. Does it take most of my time? No, it does not, and I want Washingtonians to know that.”
Attorney General Nick Brown told reporters on Feb. 13 that his office has participated in four Trump-related lawsuits, leading two. Not long after the press conference, another challenge was announced — this one taking aim at executive power granted to X owner Elon Musk, head of the new, so-called Department of Government Efficiency.
Brown said that Trump has violated the U.S. Constitution time and again. He also had a message for the president: “Follow the damn law. It’s not that hard.”
McClatchy asked Ferguson what else the state is preparing for in terms of actions taken by the White House. He replied that if there’s something happening in D.C. that could impact Washington state, his team and the Attorney General’s Office are mulling what can be done — be it through litigation or other forms of harm mitigation.
“We’ve been through this before in the past administration,” Ferguson said, “and that’s the approach we’re taking again.”
Federal funding
Ferguson told reporters that in the last fiscal year, Washington state received about $27 billion in federal funding. That amounts to roughly a third of the state’s budget.
Over the past three weeks, a large amount of federal funding has been frozen. Ferguson said that as of Feb. 13, $162 million has been paused, mostly in the Department of Commerce.
“I want to be very clear: We are continuing to fight for those funds,” he said.
The governor noted that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has worked to halt federal funding for sanctuary jurisdictions. Lawsuits have been filed against the states of New York and Illinois for refusing to cooperate with federal efforts to deport immigrants who don’t have legal status.
But Ferguson said he doesn’t think that the roughly $58 million in federal funding that Washington receives from the U.S. Justice Department is at risk.
“Regardless of how many victories we win in court thanks to our work at the AG’s office, we know that the president’s efforts to wield federal appropriations as a hammer in order to force Washington to change our values is unlikely to stop anytime soon,” he said.
He added that the rights of states to set public policies are protected under the 10th Amendment so long as they don’t conflict with the Constitution or laws passed by Congress.
Reproductive and transgender rights
Ferguson affirmed that Washington will remain committed to following guidance by health-care providers and doctors, not D.C. politicians. He referenced the consequences of what happens when pregnant patients are denied emergency care in states where doctors are afraid of prosecution.
Trump has also targeted the transgender community in executive orders, including their access to health care. Ferguson noted that gender dysphoria is a medical diagnosis, and that Washington will continue to view it as such.
“In Washington state, we will not treat health care like a political football, because Washington’s health-care laws will be informed by health-care professionals,” he said, and the state will safeguard access to a complete range of reproductive health-care options.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Ferguson called out Trump’s attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion programs nationwide: “In fact, he seems to be obsessed with it.” But anti-racist and DEI values make government better, he said.
The state will make sure its government is representative of all residents, Ferguson said, including those from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.
“President Trump will find that many laws passed by Congress and appropriations made by Congress explicitly acknowledge the goals of diversity and inclusivity, and we will raise those points with the courts when necessary,” Ferguson said.
He continued: “It is, of course, possible some federal funding in this area will be eliminated. However, the president cannot stop Washington state from using our resources to advance our values.”
Muslim Americans
When Ferguson was still serving as the state’s attorney general, Washington led the way on stopping Trump’s so-called Muslim travel ban. Now-Governor Ferguson said on Feb. 13 that the president could reportedly return with a revamped ban soon.
Ferguson said the state will continue respecting all Washingtonians’ civil rights, regardless of what religion they follow.
Undocumented immigrants
Ferguson said the Keep Washington Working Act ensures that the commander-in-chief can’t commandeer local and state resources, including law enforcement. The state ranks last in the number of officers per capita — an issue that the governor has pressed lawmakers to resolve. Washington can’t afford to divert law-enforcement resources away from making communities safer, he said.
Ferguson said he agrees with Trump that undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of serious felonies should be placed in Department of Corrections custody.
“However, the overwhelming majority of undocumented residents of our state — and every other state for that matter — are decent, hard-working, law-abiding residents who contribute significantly to our economy and our communities,” he said. “We will protect law-abiding Washington families.”
Ferguson last month created a family separation-response task force, led by the Department of Children, Youth and Families. DCYF Secretary Tana Senn said on Feb. 13 that the task force will act to ensure families entangled in immigration enforcement know where to turn for help.
Senn said families of mixed-immigration status should rest assured that “this Washington stands with you. We will be there to support your children if they find themselves separated due to deportation or detainment.”
Clean-energy jobs
Trump has made clear he wants to disinvest from clean energy. That, Ferguson said, “somewhat oddly” gifts Washington a chance to lead the nation.
In November Washington voters preserved the landmark Climate Commitment Act, which allows the state to heavily invest in clean-energy and forestry jobs, the governor said. As such, Washington can charge ahead on leading the transition toward a clean-energy economy, he said: “And we will seize that opportunity.”
Department of Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn said Trump’s actions have placed the state’s economy in jeopardy. In addition to the freeze of federal-energy funds, he said that Trump is pushing for “a dangerous trade war.”
“Families and businesses and jobs are at risk,” Nguyễn said, particularly in rural areas.
Energy-funding freezes will spike costs for everyday Washingtonians, he added, and the state will see heightened threats of wildfires and weaker infrastructure.
Nguyễn delivered a grim forecast on Feb. 13 during a joint press conference with Washington U.S. Sen. Patty Murray. Exorbitant heating bills and drafty homes could soon be a reality for many, he said.
Nguyễn estimated that more than $450 million in federal-energy funds are “currently stalled in Washington state” thanks to recent actions taken by Trump. Communities across the state, particularly low-income families and residents in rural areas, will suffer more under such directives, he said.
“Washington state cannot afford to wait while Trump plays politics with our future,” Nguyễn said.
This story was originally published February 13, 2025 at 2:08 PM.
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