A groundbreaking investigation has revealed that Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall issued unprecedented directives instructing officers to cease cooperation with the FBI and reroute felony charges to the Attorney General’s Office following the contentious June 11 immigration protests. This move, which sparked immediate controversy and accusations of obstructing a federal investigation, thrust Spokane into the national spotlight, highlighting the intensifying friction between local and federal authorities amidst a politically charged climate.
In the aftermath of the turbulent June 11 immigration protests, Spokane found itself at the epicenter of a profound debate over law enforcement jurisdiction and political influence. Records obtained by The Center Square revealed that Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall took the extraordinary step of ordering his officers to halt cooperation with the FBI and to divert felony charges away from the local prosecutor’s office.
This directive, which deviates significantly from standard protocol, has ignited a firestorm of criticism, legal challenges, and political commentary, prompting a deeper look into the intricate relationship between municipal governance and federal mandates.
The June 11 Protest: A Catalyst for Controversy
The events of June 11 set the stage for Chief Hall’s controversial orders. Earlier that day, former Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart issued a call to action, mobilizing protesters to prevent federal authorities from transferring a migrant to Tacoma. Demonstrators gathered at a U.S. Department of Homeland Security facility in Spokane, where they surrounded a transport van.
According to a federal indictment, the protest escalated, with individuals slashing the van’s tires and blocking federal agents from departing the property. Allegations include at least two instances of assault against federal officers, leading to dozens of arrests by SPD and other agencies for failure to disperse and unlawful imprisonment.
In the wake of these arrests, Chief Hall’s directives emerged. He maintained that his actions, including the temporary hold of evidentiary materials and the rerouting of charges, were not intended to obstruct but to ensure compliance with state law, particularly the Keep Washington Working Act.
Legal Crossroads: State Law vs. Federal Investigation
Chief Hall’s justification for his directives centered on the Keep Washington Working Act (KWWA), which generally prohibits local law enforcement from using their resources to assist federal immigration authorities. Hall asserted that his orders were designed to prevent the city from facing potential lawsuits by ensuring SPD was not inadvertently facilitating federal immigration enforcement.
However, this interpretation quickly drew strong opposition from within the legal community. Officer Tim Schwering, who was investigating the protest, expressed concern that the order to cease cooperation with the FBI could constitute an unlawful order, potentially obstructing a federal criminal investigation. He noted that in his entire career, he had never received such a directive.
The most vocal criticism came from Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam. He described Hall’s directives as unprecedented, stating that he had “never experienced such directive[s] from a law enforcement agency, nor have I ever heard of a law enforcement agency actively seeking to circumvent the county prosecutor.”
McCollam emphasized that referring charges directly to the Attorney General’s Office is inconsistent with state law, which typically requires an affirmative written request from the governor or the county prosecutor for such a move. He further argued that the FBI’s investigation into assaults, unlawful imprisonment, and intimidation of federal officers fell outside the purview of the KWWA and the Courts Open to All Act, as it concerned criminal matters, not civil immigration enforcement. The Washington State Attorney General’s Office provides guidance on the KWWA, outlining its parameters for local law enforcement.
Political Currents: The Mayor’s Role and City Council’s Stance
The political dimensions of the incident are as significant as the legal ones. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown held a press conference with Chief Hall on the night of June 11. Records revealed that Ben Stuckart had texted Mayor Brown’s personal cellphone during the protest, requesting her intervention to stop SPD from arresting protesters. Mayor Brown confirmed discussing “legal assistance” with Stuckart and connecting him with Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown to “investigate options.” The AGO, however, stated their call was for de-escalation and unrelated to charges.
After the FBI arrested Stuckart and eight others on federal charges on July 15, Mayor Brown issued a statement labeling the arrests “politically motivated.” This sentiment aligns with Brown and the city council’s progressive majority, who have consistently criticized President Donald Trump’s immigration policies since his 2024 election victory. The council has passed measures to restrict federal agents from certain events and to reaffirm the KWWA, demonstrating a clear stance of resistance.
While some residents have praised the local government’s defiance of the Trump administration, others have voiced concerns that these political statements and associated directives could have financial repercussions, potentially costing taxpayers future police funding.
Aftermath and Lingering Questions
Ultimately, Chief Hall rescinded his directives on June 19, less than a month before the FBI and other agencies proceeded with the federal arrests. Hall confirmed that “the FBI received all materials relevant to its investigation” in the end, suggesting cooperation was restored. The FBI and U.S. Department of Justice were unable to comment on the matter due to an ongoing government shutdown at the time of the original report.
Meanwhile, the Spokane City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed all misdemeanor charges against the June 11 protesters, citing hundreds of hours of body camera footage still under review. City Prosecutor Justin Bingham stated his intention to refile charges within the statute of limitations, emphasizing that no one from the mayor’s office or SPD had instructed him to drop the cases, and that his office’s approach remained consistent across administrations.
The Enduring Impact: A Blueprint for Future Conflicts?
The events in Spokane are more than an isolated incident; they serve as a potent illustration of the increasing tension between local jurisdictions seeking to implement “sanctuary” policies and a federal government committed to immigration enforcement. Chief Hall’s directives, though temporary, represent a significant attempt by a local authority to navigate these complex legal and political waters, pushing the boundaries of inter-agency cooperation.
The controversy underscores the ambiguity surrounding acts like the KWWA when federal investigations delve into non-immigration-specific crimes that originate from immigration-related protests. This incident sets a precedent for how similar conflicts might unfold in other cities and states with “sanctuary” policies, potentially leading to further legal battles and strained relationships between local and federal law enforcement. The debate over who holds ultimate authority, and under what circumstances, continues to evolve, making Spokane’s standoff a crucial case study for the future of cooperative governance in a divided nation.
