(The Center Square) – Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison is seeking to add more staff to her office to address an increasing workload caused by a flurry of executive orders from President Donald Trump.
Any positions added to the City Attorney’s Office at the request of Davison would join the Federal Response Team, which focuses on federal actions impacting Seattle.
The city is combatting executive orders and federal directives meant to address illegal immigration and the associated drug trafficking crises.
Just last month, the city joined in a lawsuit against the Trump administration for implementing federal policies that target jurisdictions protecting illegal immigrants like Seattle.
Davison said new additions to her office are needed as soon as possible due to the federal administration’s slew of executive orders.
“In just a few short weeks since the inauguration, dozens of executive orders have been issued,” Davison said in a statement. “Whenever there is potential negative impact to Seattle from any Trump Administration action, I will take every measure to respond appropriately and within the bounds of law.”
A formal request is being sent to the Seattle City Council to authorize the additional positions. Council President Sara Nelson has already signaled her full support for the City Attorney’s Office and wants the additional positions to become permanent.
“Seattle can’t be caught flat-footed as the Trump administration unleashes its chaos campaign through executive actions that target our institutions, communities, and funding,” said Nelson. “Expanding the city attorney’s Federal Response Team helps push back against federal overreach and defends Seattle.”
Davison’s request for increased funding to add more staffing to her office comes as the city continues dealing with a budget challenge.
Late last year, Seattle closed a $268 million operating budget deficit facing its 2025-2026 biennium budget by making cuts, including laying off approximately 70 workers. Three attorney positions were included as part of those cuts.
