Denver's Mayor Mike Johnston steps into a contentious political battle with bold statements about resisting federal authority.
According to Breitbart News, the Democratic mayor has announced plans to mobilize both police forces and civilian demonstrators to prevent the enforcement of federal immigration laws in Denver.
Johnston's declaration includes a vision of massive civilian resistance, comparing potential confrontations to historical protests. He emphasizes the city's commitment to maintaining its sanctuary status despite potential federal pressure.
The mayor's stance represents a direct challenge to federal immigration enforcement efforts. His strategy involves utilizing the Denver Police Department and organizing what he claims would be 50,000 local residents to form human blockades against federal authorities.
Johnston drew a controversial parallel between potential resistance efforts and the Tiananmen Square protests, suggesting that local mothers and community members would stand against federal enforcement actions. The mayor's defiant position extends beyond rhetoric to include practical measures for opposing federal immigration mandates.
These developments occur against the backdrop of Johnston's previous decision to redirect police funding toward services for undocumented immigrants. The Denver Police Department has maintained silence regarding the mayor's plans to involve them in this confrontation.
Several other Democratic leaders across the country have aligned with Johnston's position. Los Angeles City Council has reinforced its sanctuary city status through a unanimous vote, signaling similar resistance to federal immigration enforcement.
Multiple state governors have joined the opposition, including Illinois's JB Pritzker, Colorado's Jared Polis, Massachusetts's Maura Healey, California's Gavin Newsom, and Washington State's Bob Ferguson. Their collective stance represents a coordinated response from Democratic strongholds.
Mayor Johnston emphasized his commitment to protecting immigrant communities, stating:
We're not going to sell out those values to anyone. We're not going to be bullied into changing them.
The confrontational approach has drawn sharp criticism from federal officials. Tom Homan, the incoming border czar, has issued stern warnings about the legal consequences of such resistance.
Homan directly addressed the legal ramifications of these sanctuary policies. His response indicates potential federal legal action against local officials who obstruct immigration enforcement. Former federal immigration officials have emphasized that actively preventing ICE operations could result in criminal charges. The situation sets up a potential constitutional crisis between federal and local authorities.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's pledge to resist federal immigration enforcement has catalyzed a broader movement among Democratic leaders across multiple states. The mayor's plan involves mobilizing both law enforcement and civilian protesters to prevent federal operations within city limits.
This confrontation between local and federal authorities portends significant legal and political battles ahead. The outcome could fundamentally affect the relationship between federal immigration enforcement and sanctuary cities, with potential legal consequences for officials who actively resist federal authority.
