Case: United States v. State of Washington
2:26-cv-00232 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
Filed Date: May 27, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case challenges Washington state’s refusal to issue undercover license plates to federal immigration enforcement agencies. On May 27, 2026, the United States of America filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington against the State of Washington, its Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of Transportation, and the Director of the Department of Licensing (DOL). The suit alleged that Washington violated the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution by denying confidential and undercover license plates to DHS-affiliated entities while continuing to issue such plates to other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The United States sought a declaration that the policy is unconstitutional, an injunction barring its enforcement against federal officers, and costs and fees.
The complaint alleged that federal law enforcement agencies have long relied on confidential license plates to protect officer safety and operational security. Historically, Washington’s DOL issued these plates to federal agencies, including DHS, under state law. However, in October 2025, the DOL began denying requests for confidential plates from DHS-affiliated entities. By January 2026, Washington formally suspended the issuance and renewal of undercover plates for DHS, citing a review of the agency’s compliance with state laws. The state further required DHS to surrender existing plates and re-register its vehicles with traceable plates, which the United States claimed exposed federal officers to doxxing, harassment, and physical threats. The United States alleged that the policy disproportionately targeted DHS while Washington continued to provide confidential plates to other federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), as well as state and local law enforcement.
The complaint advanced two primary legal claims under the Supremacy Clause. Count I alleged that Washington’s policy unlawfully discriminated against the federal government. The complaint argued that the state’s refusal to issue confidential plates to DHS while continuing to provide them to other agencies impermissibly discriminated against the federal government under the intergovernmental immunity doctrine. Count II asserted that the policy unlawfully regulated the federal government by conditioning plate issuance on DHS's enforcement activities, thereby interfering with core federal functions. The United States contended that states may not impose such conditions on federal operations.
On May 27, 2026, the case was assigned to Chief District Judge Stanley A. Bastian.
The case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Trump2.0 Collection (6/7/2026)
Jonah Miller (7/26/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73400915/parties/united-states-v-state-of-washington/
Bastian, Stanley Allen (Washington)
Faso, Alessandra (Washington)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73400915/united-states-v-state-of-washington/
Last updated Oct. 12, 2026, 3:19 a.m.
Docket for: United States v. State of Washington
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Public Benefits/Government Services
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 27, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The United States, on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security and its immigration enforcement subcomponents
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-DOJ federal government plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
State
State of Washington
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
Eastern District of Washington 2:26-cv-00232
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Immigration/Border:
Undocumented immigrants - state and local regulation
Case Summary of United States v. State of Washington, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48200/ (last updated 7/26/2026).