Acting U.S. Attorney General Vows Terrorism Charges for American Street Gangs Tied to Foreign Cartels
Why It Matters
The federal government’s push to label domestic street gangs as foreign terrorist organizations could dramatically reshape how law enforcement in Oregon and across the country prosecutes drug and gang-related crimes. States like Oregon, where sanctuary policies have drawn sharp federal criticism, may face increased pressure as the Justice Department expands its enforcement posture.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Governor Tina Kotek have already signaled openness to reviewing the state’s sanctuary policies following recent high-profile confrontations with federal immigration authorities. Oregon officials are weighing updates to sanctuary laws after a Marion County courthouse arrest drew national attention.
What Happened
Interim U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed attendees at the 2026 Border Security Expo in Phoenix on Wednesday, outlining the Justice Department’s plan to extend the foreign terrorist organization designation — originally applied to transnational drug cartels — to domestic street gangs with even loose ties to those cartels.
Blanche said federal prosecutors intend to pursue terrorism charges against local gang factions, including smaller neighborhood-level offshoots of groups like the Bloods, Crips, and Latin Kings. He argued these local cells cause significant harm in their communities but currently face insufficient criminal penalties.
“If a local Blood sect is getting its cocaine one step removed from an FTO, we can charge them with being part of a foreign terrorist organization with just a little bit of investigative work,” Blanche said.
The foreign terrorist organization designation carries enhanced criminal penalties and allows for broader cooperation between local law enforcement, federal agencies, and the military. Blanche made clear the intent is to dramatically increase prison sentences for convicted gang members who are also found in possession of firearms.
By the Numbers
- At least 170 people have reportedly died as a result of military strikes against drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, which Blanche publicly praised.
- One federal district in Texas reportedly processed more than 20,000 immigration-related prosecutions over the past year, according to Blanche’s remarks.
- Approximately a quarter of FBI staff has reportedly been redirected from criminal investigations to assist with civil immigration enforcement, according to prior reporting cited at the expo.
- Blanche’s DOJ has reportedly pulled agents from the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Marshals to support immigration operations over the past year.
Sanctuary Cities in the Crosshairs
Blanche did not mince words on the subject of sanctuary jurisdictions, calling them “the most disgusting thing that has happened in this country.” He acknowledged, however, that efforts to strip federal funding from noncompliant cities face legal delays, which he said was “frustrating.”
The remarks add pressure on progressive-led cities and states — including several in the Pacific Northwest — that have resisted cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. Oregon has been a flashpoint in that ongoing standoff, and the acting attorney general’s comments are likely to intensify calls for the state to reassess its policies.
Zoom Out
The expansion of the terrorism designation to domestic gangs marks a significant escalation in federal law enforcement strategy. The Trump administration first designated major foreign drug cartels as terrorist organizations last year, and Wednesday’s announcement signals that framework is being extended well beyond its original scope.
Blanche, who previously served as a private defense attorney for President Trump before joining the Justice Department under former Attorney General Pam Bondi, has taken an aggressive approach on both immigration and criminal enforcement since stepping into the acting AG role. His remarks at the Phoenix expo reinforced that posture across multiple fronts — gang prosecution, immigration enforcement, and the administration’s broader crackdown on sanctuary policies.
What’s Next
Federal prosecutors are expected to begin building cases that link domestic gang activity to designated foreign terrorist organizations, which would allow for more severe charges and sentencing enhancements. Legal challenges to those prosecutions are likely, given the novel application of terrorism law to domestic criminal organizations.
Oregon officials will face continued pressure to align state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal priorities, particularly given the state’s sanctuary posture. State leaders have already opened the door to revisiting those policies, and Wednesday’s federal announcements may accelerate that conversation heading into the 2026 election cycle.
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