{"id":2402646,"date":"2025-02-14T10:00:58","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T15:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ferguson-to-president-trump-youre-making-it-tough-really-tough-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-14T10:02:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T15:02:43","slug":"ferguson-to-president-trump-youre-making-it-tough-really-tough-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ferguson-to-president-trump-youre-making-it-tough-really-tough-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Ferguson to President Trump: \u2018You\u2019re making it tough, really tough\u2019 &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fferguson-to-president-trump-youre-making-it-tough-really-tough-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2402646&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>in a recent press conference,Washington Governor Bob \u200cFerguson addressed the state\u2019s response \u200cto President Donald Trump\u2019s executive orders,one month after the president&#8217;s inauguration. Joined by state leaders, Ferguson expressed a willingness to collaborate wiht Trump on shared interests but emphasized the challenges posed by the administration&#8217;s policies. He highlighted\u200d the inconsistencies in federal funding, especially regarding the Solar for All program. Ferguson reassured that Washington&#8217;s federal funding is secure\u2064 despite challenges \u200bto \u2062sanctuary city policies and voiced his commitment to protecting state values concerning reproductive rights and diversity initiatives. He\u2062 underscored \u2063that Washington\u200b would\u200b continue to promote equity and clean \u200benergy in spite of federal directives, and reiterated that he would not restrict cooperation with \u200c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/soros-backed-philadelphia-da-considered-helping-non-citizens-accused-of-rape-murder-avoid-deportation-records-show\/\" title=\"Soros-Backed Philadelphia DA Considered Helping Non-Citizens Accused Of Rape, Murder Avoid Deportation, Records Show\">federal immigration authorities<\/a> regarding violent \u200doffenders. Ferguson, who previously filed numerous lawsuits against the Trump administration as attorney general, stated\u2062 the urgency \u200dof addressing federal \u2064issues \u200dimpacting the state\u2019s budget, asserting the need to manage\u2062 the implications of Trump\u2019s\u200b policies on Washingtonians.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Ferguson to President Trump: &lsquo;You&rsquo;re making it tough, really tough&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1993554\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; One month after his inauguration, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson held his second press conference on Thursday to discuss the state&rsquo;s response to President Donald Trump&rsquo;s flurry of executive orders and provide an update on related federal funding impacts.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Ferguson was joined by other state leaders &ndash; including Attorney General Nick Brown &ndash; and Democratic lawmakers during the noon&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tvw.org\/video\/governor-bob-ferguson-press-conference-2025021318\/?eventID=2025021318\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>event<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;My message to President Trump is fairly simple,&rdquo; Ferguson said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll work with you in areas of common interest, but you&rsquo;re making it tough, really tough.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In his opening comments to a packed room of staffers and media members, Ferguson noted the dizzying and sometimes contradictory nature of missives coming out of Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;For example, that $150 or $160 million connected in part to the Solar for All Program was frozen on Monday, then unfrozen and refrozen this morning,&rdquo; the governor said.<\/p>\n<p>Washington&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.commerce.wa.gov\/epic\/solar-for-all\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Solar For All program<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;is intended to &ldquo;advance equity and environmental justice through new and expanded solar programs for income-qualified households, disadvantaged communities and tribes,&rdquo; according to the Department of Commerce.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I want to be very clear, we are continuing to fight for these funds,&rdquo; Ferguson continued.<\/p>\n<p>The governor said he does not believe federal funding for Washington state is in jeopardy based on Attorney General Pam Bondi&rsquo;s vow to hold states accountable for sanctuary policies that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/newsom-vetoes-bill-preventing-some-illegal-immigrant-inmates-from-being-handed-to-ice\/\" title=\"Newsom rejects bill blocking transfer of certain undocumented inmates to ICE.\">protect undocumented immigrants<\/a>. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ferguson said Washington receives about $58 million from the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;But we believe those funds are not impacted by this directive,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>The governor noted he does agree with President Trump when it comes to removing&nbsp;<em>criminal<\/em>&nbsp;undocumented migrants from the country.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Washington law and the&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.codepublishing.com\/WA\/ChelanCounty\/html\/Chelco01\/Chelco01392.html\">Keep Washington Working Act&nbsp;<\/a><\/strong>does not prohibit the [state] Department of Corrections from cooperating with federal immigration officials regarding individuals in its physical custody,&rdquo; Ferguson noted.<\/p>\n<p>The governor said some groups have asked him to prohibit the Department of Corrections from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I will not do that,&rdquo; Ferguson said, reiterating that Corrections will work with federal immigration officials when it comes to undocumented immigrants who have committed violent crimes.<\/p>\n<p>Washington&rsquo;s values and priorities are under attack from the Trump administration, the governor said, mentioning reproductive rights, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pentagon-announce-new-transgender-service-member-policies-on-international-transgender-day-of-visibility-everything-you-need-to-know\/\" title=\"Pentagon Announce New Transgender Service Member ... On \u2018International Transgender Day Of Visibility\u2019: Everything You Need To Know\">transgender health care<\/a>, DEI initiatives, and clean energy projects and jobs, among others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Washington will be guided by doctors and other health care professionals, not by politicians in Washington, D.C.,&rdquo; Ferguson said. &ldquo;Gender dysphoria is a serious medical condition. That&rsquo;s not a political opinion, that&rsquo;s a medical fact.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Trump has directed federal agencies to disband DEI &ndash; diversity, equity and inclusion &ndash; &nbsp;initiatives. Several private companies have since announced they would scale back or scrap their DEI commitments.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Here&rsquo;s our response to these attacks: Washington state will continue to use state dollars to promote anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion,&rdquo; Ferguson said. &ldquo;These values improve our government.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>He acknowledged it is possible some federal DEI funding will be cut.<\/p>\n<p>Ferguson said Trump&rsquo;s directive to withhold federal dollars for clean energy projects provides an opportunity for the Evergreen State.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Because the president is targeting clean energy in all 50 states, somewhat oddly, he&rsquo;s presenting us with an opportunity to lead the nation,&rdquo; Ferguson explained. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re not stepping back on these issues, we&rsquo;re stepping up on these issues.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Brown told reporters Trump&rsquo;s directives have kept him very busy in his new job.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Thus far, the AG&rsquo;s Office has participated in four separate lawsuits,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We are leading on two of those lawsuits, to defend transgender healthcare and birthright citizenship.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Brown&rsquo;s office has joined two other lawsuits challenging Trump&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">executive orders blocking federal funding<\/a> to sanctuary cities and withholding National Institutes of Health funding.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is immense harm that is being done by this president and his administration,&rdquo; the attorney general said. &ldquo;My only message to the President of the United States is to follow the law &hellip; follow the damn law.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Ferguson took questions from reporters.<\/p>\n<p>The Center Square asked about some critics&rsquo; suggestions that Ferguson should spend more time dealing with Washington state concerns than with what&rsquo;s happening in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n<p>Before being elected governor, Ferguson served three terms as Washington&rsquo;s attorney general. During his tenure, his office sued the Trump administration almost 100 times.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to deal with the chaos that comes from Washington, D.C.,&rdquo; he answered. &ldquo;Washingtonians expect that because it&rsquo;s impacting Washingtonians, it&rsquo;s impacting our budget. Those things are real. Trust me, they&rsquo;re very real. So, I just can&rsquo;t ignore that because it&rsquo;s inconvenient for my job.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Ferguson said he wouldn&rsquo;t be hyper-focused on Trump.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;At the same time, we&rsquo;re moving our state forward,&rdquo; he added.<\/p>\n<p>The governor said he would hold another press conference later this month to announce how state agencies have responded to his order to cut budgets by 6% as part of the solution to a projected budget shortfall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1993554\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1993554\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ferguson to Trump: &#8216;You&#8217;re making it really tough<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2402647,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AP25029698603924-scaled-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[13663,3634,32076],"class_list":["post-2402646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-ferguson","tag-trump","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AP25029698603924-scaled-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2402646","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2402646"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2402646\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2402650,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2402646\/revisions\/2402650"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2402647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2402646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2402646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2402646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}