Harmeet Dhillon Levels the WA AG After Troubling Remarks on Journos Investigating State’s Daycares – RedState
We covered the massive fraud scandal in Minnesota.
But as we’ve reported, independent journalists are also raising questions about Washington state’s child care centers.
Cam Higby and Jonathan Choe visited centers in this state, as Nick Shirley did in Minnesota.
READ MORE: Now, folks, this is real journalism: Independent Cam Higby uncovers what looks like more fraud in Washington state
You’d think the response from Washington officials would be, “Well, thank you very much!” We’re going to get into it, looking at this and making sure we stop any fraud. » That’s on the condition that they want to do the right thing and that they read the anger of the people present in the room on this issue.
But the response from state Attorney General Nick Brown was insufficient at best. He claimed that people at daycares were being harassed.
My office has received information from members of the Somali community following reports of home care providers being harassed and accused of fraud, with little or no fact-checking.
We are in contact with the State Department of Children, Youth and Families regarding complaints…– Attorney General Nick Brown (@AGOWA) December 31, 2025
My office has received information from members of the Somali community following reports of home care providers being harassed and accused of fraud, with little or no fact-checking.
We are in contact with the state Department of Children, Youth and Families regarding complaints posted online and harassment reported by child care centers.
Showing up on someone’s porch, threatening them, or harassing them is not an investigation. It is also not possible to film minors who may be in the house. This is dangerous and potentially dangerous behavior. I encourage anyone experiencing threats or harassment to contact local law enforcement or our office’s Hate Crimes and Bias Hotline at 1-855-225-1010 or http://atg.wa.gov/report-hate.
If you believe fraud is occurring, there are appropriate steps to report and investigate. Go to the DCYF website to learn more. And when fraud is proven and verified by law enforcement and regulators, individuals should be held accountable.
Knocking on the door is not harassment. How can you investigate as a journalist if you don’t visit these places? If you just rely on what officials say, you’re not doing much. How can you trust their information, if maybe the problem is that they didn’t detect things?
But perhaps more importantly, many thought this response was an attempt by WA to curb the efforts of journalists.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon wasn’t having it, according to her response on X.
“ANY state official who dissuades or threatens to derogate from a journalist’s 1A rights will have some explaining to do. @CivilRights takes potential violations of 18 USC § 242 seriously! Govern yourself accordingly! #1A,” she warned.
Brown responded with Democratic default mode No. 1: Whenever he is called into question for his own actions, he tries to deflect attention by placing the blame on President Donald Trump. But Harmeet sidelined him.
I am a former journalist. Deep staters like you are always threatened by a free press.
But thank you for having confirmed, after misappropriation, that journalists are free to practice their profession and to denounce the fraud that you have failed to identify, let alone punish, in your State! Good year! https://t.co/GWoB6r1nGy
– AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) December 31, 2025
Brown claimed that they “They obviously did not threaten anyone, especially not journalists. But maybe you should have a serious conversation with your bosses.” No, it’s not obvious at all.
Dhillon finished it:
I am a former journalist. Deep staters like you are always threatened by a free press. But thank you for having confirmed, after detour, that journalists are free to practice their profession and denounce the fraud that you have failed to identify, let alone punish, in your State! Good year!
Boom, from the top rope.
Translation? You’ve been warned now, buddy, and I know you got the message.
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