California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants DeSantis and Abbott investigated for kidnapping

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is petitioning the Justice Department to consider whether moving migrants to other states violates federal laws such as kidnapping, Fox News reports.
In a letter addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Newsom pondered whether Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) illegally relocated migrants to sanctuary cities like New York City, Washington, D.C., and Chicago, as well as Martha's Vineyard, in recent months.
Some of the people who were recently moved to Martha's Vineyard "alleged that a recruiter induced them to accept the offer of travel based on false representations that they would be transported to Boston and would receive expedited access to work authorization." Newsom wrote. "I urge U.S. DOJ to investigate whether the alleged fraudulent inducement would support charges of kidnapping under relevant state laws."
DeSantis sent migrants to Massachusetts on Wednesday after promising to relocate them to a "sanctuary destination," sparking a wave of criticism for what some viewed as a "heartless" political ploy. His communication director Taryn Fenske told Fox News that designated sanctuary states "will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration."
DeSantis's move followed Abbott's decision to relocate migrants who had crossed the southern border of Texas. Abbott's administration has spent up to $15 million on buses for migrants to travel to Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Theara Coleman has worked as a staff writer at The Week since September 2022. She frequently writes about technology, education, literature and general news. She was previously a contributing writer and assistant editor at Honeysuckle Magazine, where she covered racial politics and cannabis industry news.
-
From Da Vinci to a golden toilet: a history of museum heists
In the Spotlight Following the ‘spectacular’ events at the Louvre, museums are ‘increasingly being targeted by criminal gangs’
-
Can Gen Z uprisings succeed where other protest movements failed?
Today's Big Question Apolitical and leaderless, youth-led protests have real power but are vulnerable to the strongman opportunist
-
The allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria
The Explainer West African nation has denied claims from US senator and broadcaster
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
Trump, Putin set summit as Zelenskyy lands in DC
Speed Read Trump and Putin have agreed to meet in Budapest soon to discuss ending the war in Ukraine
-
Courts deal setbacks to Trump’s Chicago operations
Speed Read President Donald Trump cannot deploy the National Guard in Illinois
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
-
Supreme Court points to gutting Voting Rights Act
speed read States would no longer be required to consider race when drawing congressional maps
-
Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
-
Are inflatable costumes and naked bike rides helping or hurting ICE protests?
Talking Points Trump administration efforts to portray Portland and Chicago as dystopian war zones have been met with dancing frogs, bare butts and a growing movement to mock MAGA doomsaying
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats