In a heated exchange of words, Tom Homan, the incoming “border czar” for President-elect Donald Trump, issued a sharp rebuttal to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s recent vow to resist federal immigration enforcement. Johnston, a Democrat and staunch supporter of sanctuary city policies, stated he would be willing to face jail time to shield undocumented immigrants in Denver. In response, Homan declared, “If he’s willing to go to jail, I’m willing to put him in jail.”
A Growing Showdown
Homan’s remarks reflect the hardline stance of the Trump administration’s renewed focus on enforcing immigration laws nationwide. As border czar, Homan will oversee federal efforts to address illegal immigration, including actions targeting sanctuary cities like Denver. His warning comes after Johnston made headlines for his defiant rhetoric, promising to use local law enforcement and community support to obstruct federal immigration actions.
“We would create a Tiananmen Square moment,” Johnston said, referencing the 1989 pro-democracy protests in China. He pledged that if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrived in Denver to deport undocumented individuals, “You’d have 50,000 Denverites there standing with them.”
Homan dismissed Johnston’s analogy as both inflammatory and irresponsible. “Comparing lawful enforcement of federal immigration laws to the violent suppression of peaceful protesters in China is beyond absurd,” he said. “It undermines the rule of law and disrespects the memory of those who lost their lives fighting for democracy.”
The Federal and Local Divide
Denver, like many other sanctuary cities, has implemented policies that limit local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. While such policies are popular among progressive leaders and activists, they have drawn sharp criticism from federal officials and conservatives, who argue that they undermine national security and public safety.
Homan emphasized that the law is clear when it comes to immigration enforcement. “Federal law supersedes local policies,” he said. “Mayors and governors who interfere with federal law enforcement are not only violating their oaths of office but also putting their communities at risk.”
Johnston’s Vision of Resistance
Mayor Johnston, who took office earlier this year, has positioned himself as a vocal defender of Denver’s immigrant community. In recent weeks, he has doubled down on his commitment to protecting undocumented residents, even if it means defying federal mandates. Johnston suggested that Denver police and local residents would form a unified front to block ICE operations.
“We’re not going to stand by while families are torn apart,” Johnston said in a recent press conference. “We will not allow fear and intimidation to dictate how we treat our neighbors.”
However, legal experts warn that such actions could have serious repercussions. “Local officials have no legal authority to obstruct federal agents from carrying out their duties,” said Linda Chavez, a constitutional law professor. “If they attempt to physically block federal operations, they could face civil and criminal liability.”
Legal and Political Implications
The conflict between federal and local authorities over sanctuary city policies is not new, but it is likely to intensify under the incoming Trump administration. President-elect Trump has repeatedly vowed to crack down on sanctuary cities, promising to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with ICE. The administration has also signaled its willingness to pursue legal action against local leaders who actively obstruct immigration enforcement.
Homan echoed these sentiments, stating, “If these sanctuary city leaders want to play this game, they’re going to lose. The law is on our side, and we will enforce it.”
Johnston, however, remains undeterred. “We will not be bullied into betraying our values,” he said. “Denver will stand firm in its commitment to justice and humanity.”
A Potential National Flashpoint
The escalating rhetoric between Homan and Johnston underscores the growing tensions between the federal government and sanctuary cities across the United States. Denver’s stance could serve as a bellwether for similar confrontations in other cities that have pledged to protect undocumented immigrants.
As the Trump administration prepares to take office, the legal and political battles over sanctuary cities are expected to dominate headlines in the coming months. Both sides appear entrenched, with the federal government asserting its authority to enforce immigration laws and local officials standing by their commitments to shield vulnerable residents.
The outcome of this standoff could have far-reaching implications for immigration policy, federalism, and the rule of law in America.
Sources
- Fox News: Tom Homan Responds to Denver Mayor’s Defiance
- Denver Post: Mayor Mike Johnston’s Sanctuary City Policies
- The Hill: Federal vs. Local Authority on Immigration
- AP News: Sanctuary Cities Under Trump’s New Policies
- Reuters: Legal Implications of Sanctuary City Resistance
