Case: United States v. State of Washington

[This summary is temporary while we research the case]. On May 27, 2026, the United States filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington against the State of Washington and several of its officials in their official capacities. The complaint alleged that Washington had historically issued confidential and undercover license plates to DHS (and its components like ICE, HSI, and CBP) under state law, but that beginning around October 2025, the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) began denying DHS requests to obtain and renew such plates. In January 2026, DOL informed HSI that it was suspending issuance and renewal of undercover plates to DHS-affiliated entities indefinitely and was requiring DHS to surrender all existing undercover plates for destruction and replace them with publicly traceable federal government plates. The complaint alleged that Washington cited the "Keep Washington Working Act" as justification, while continuing to issue undercover plates to state and local law enforcement as well as other federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Secret Service — but not to DHS, ICE, or CBP. The United States brought two counts under the Supremacy Clause, alleging unlawful discrimination against and unlawful regulation of the Federal Government, and sought declaratory judgments, a permanent injunction, costs and fees, and any other relief the court deemed just and proper.