Federal changes: Protecting our Seattle

Space Needle with the sun behind the Needle

Seattle is committed to protecting all its people, especially those most impacted by the numerous federal policy changes of the Presidential administration that took office in January 2025. These changes include the increased actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), cuts in federal funding to critical services, and the dismantling of federal agencies that affect our city and cities across the country. We stand by our refugee and immigrant communities, our LGBTQA+ communities, and those for whom reproductive and gender-affirming care are so vital.

Since the federal government transition began, state and local governments have voiced concern over a flurry of executive orders and abrupt policy changes. These issues have created unprecedented legal and funding questions in a number of jurisdictions, and high anxiety and fear among many of our constituents throughout Seattle. In response to these concerns, the City Council created the Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes.

The goal is for our Council and City to be prepared amidst uncertainty at the federal level, and to protect its residents, community resources, and basic government services.

Council work to date

January 8, 2026 – After the fatal shooting of Renee Goode in Minneapolis by U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE), and that agency’s arrests in north Seattle:
- Councilmembers Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Dionne Foster released a joint statement
- Councilmember Eddie Lin released a statement
- Councilmember Bob Kettle, chair of the Public Safety Committee, issued a statement in response to ICE’s unprecedented tactics
November 20, 2025 – The City Council passed the 2026 budget that includes $4 million to protect Seattle’s immigrant and refugee communities, including funding for rapid response efforts. The budget also focused on affordability, homelessness, public safety, building community and fiscal responsibility.
November 14, 2025 – Councilmember Rinck joined King County, state and homelessness leaders in condemning Trump administration changes to critical housing funding.
October 1, 2025 – Councilmember Rivera released a statement condemning the federal government shutdown and disruption of critical services for Seattle residents.
September 30, 2025 - Councilmember Kettle, chair of the Public Safety Committee, joined Mayor Bruce Harrell, State Attorney General Nick Brown, and other city officials in response to President Trump’s remarks that he would use Seattle and other “dangerous” cities as “training grounds” for the military.
September 23, 2025 – Public Safety Chair and Councilmember Kettle released a statement in response to a recruitment video by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that specifically attempts to persuade Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers to work for ICE.
September 2, 2025 – Councilmember Kettle, chair of the Public Safety Committee, and former Council President Sara Nelson released a joint statement in response to unprecedented actions by the federal government involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Army National Guard.
August 4, 2025 – Councilmember Rinck joined small businesses, human service providers and labor advocates as Mayor Bruce Harrell signed legislation to put an initiative on the November ballot to lower taxes for about 90% of Seattle businesses that pay the City’s Business and Occupation (B&O) tax. The ‘Seattle Shield Initiative’ would temporarily raise B&O rates to bring in about $81 million to fund essential city services threatened by the Trump administration.
July 4, 2025 – Letter in response to the passage of President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act, "Councilmembers Rinck, Saka, Solmon, Hollingsworth and Strauss signed a letter condemning the harmful policies contained in the legislation. As an example, Washington state alone stands to lose the largest share of their federal Medicaid dollars – estimated at $35 billion over the course of the next decade. The letter also calls for the state legislators to “urgently act to prepare for the harm done by the authoritarianism of the federal government” and commits local leaders “to develop meaningful solutions to protect residents.”
May 27, 2025 – the Council unanimously passed.Resolution 32168, introduced by Councilmember Rinck, reaffirming Seattle’s commitment to being a “Welcoming City.” Additional commitments include resisting “any efforts to impose on the City any immigration, spending, or funding policy that violates the Constitution and laws of the United States” and to add “at least $300,000 to OIRA (Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs) to respond to emerging needs as unwarranted and inhumane immigration enforcement continues to escalate.”
March 25, 2025 – the Council passed legislation strengthening protectionsfrom harmful federal actions, specifically for people seeking reproductive health care and gender-affirming treatment. The amended bill, co-sponsored by Councilmember Moore and Councilmember Rivera, creates a firewall preventing City employees from being used to enforce harmful and restrictive laws from other jurisdictions. This proposal builds on Washington state’s Shield Law.
Creation of a list of community resources by Councilmember Rinck’s office to help people understand what their rights are, where they might get assistance, or find information on local and state laws when it comes to federal policy changes. The list on CM Rinck’s webpage became the basis for this new resource page.
March 6, 2025 – at the first Select Committee meeting, Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6) brought forward a letter in support of federal workers threatened or targeted by layoffs. Seven Council colleagues at the meeting added their names to the letter.
Also at the Select Committee’s first meeting, two roundtables on specific areas of concern: LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive healthcare access, and civil and labor rights.
Throughout 2025, Councilmembers remained in close communication with Mayor Bruce Harrell and his staff, Governor Bob Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, and other elected leaders to coordinate legal and policy responses to the Trump Administration’s targeted actions harming Washington’s economy, communities, and values.
Council President Nelson and Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) began working directly with the Office of Intergovernmental Relations– the City’s on-the-ground team in Washington D.C. – to receive real-time policy and operational updates on the Trump Administration to help City leaders learn of rapid federal shifts and respond quickly to protect resources.
The City Council identified several areas that may be targeted by the Trump Administration and is monitoring the barrage of Executive Orders closely. These critical areas include housing, public safety, transportation, emergency response, climate policy, public health, social services, economic development, and education.
Call for and creation of the Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes, dedicated to identifying strong local responses to federal changes that may threaten City of Seattle programs and funding.

Calendar of Upcoming Select Committee Meetings

People in council chambers during Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes

The Select Committee will meet at City Hall, Council Chambers, unless noted otherwise.

Date	Time
March 5, 2026	2:00 p.m.
June 25, 2026	2:00 p.m.
September 10, 2026	2:00 p.m.
December 10, 2026	2:00 p.m.

Background

This resource page began in 2025 as a response to the flurry of federal changes, with the first steps taken by Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) and then-City Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9):

Councilmember Rinck called for the creation of the new Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes aimed at identifying responses to emerging federal policy changes that could threaten City programs and funding, including housing, public safety, public health, and social services. Councilmember Rinck chairs the committee.
Then-City Council President Nelson (Position 9) stood up the new committee that includes all nine Council members, to ensure all leaders are aware and responsive to constituents’ needs and concerns during a period of upheaval in Washington D.C.

Resources for the Community

Immigration, Refugee and Labor Rights Issues Resources

Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) works with partner organizations, including the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN). These groups offer valuable resources, trainings, and events serving immigrants, refugees, and anyone who wants to help support and care for these communities.

Civil Rights

Housing

LGBTQ & Reproductive Rights and Issues Organizations

Questions?

If you need help, please consider contacting your councilmember directly. You can also contact the entire council at: council@seattle.gov