Democratic Denver Mayor Mike Johnston vowed to resist President-elect Trump’s proposed immigration policies, citing China’s infamous Tiananmen Square incident, saying residents would rise up against federal agents.
Johnston stressed Denver’s commitment to protecting illegal immigrants and maintaining its sanctuary city status, saying it will not be “bullied” by the incoming Trump administration.
“We’re not going to sell those values to anybody,” Johnston told Denverite in an interview. “We will not be bullied into changing them.”
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Mayor Mike Johnston recently announced major budget cuts to Denver city government to better deal with its immigrant crisis. (RJ Singosti/Media News Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Johnston predicted a “Tiananmen Square moment” if federal immigration officials tried to do their job.
“We’ve got more DPD deployed at the county line to keep them out, you’d have 50,000 Denverites out there,” Johnston told the local outlet. “It’s like the Tiananmen Square moment with the roses and the gun, right? You’re going to have every one of those Highland mothers who came out for the immigrants.
“And you don’t want to mess with them.”
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The Democratic mayor’s comments come after Trump campaigned on tougher immigration laws and deporting immigrants, and reflect a trend by state and local officials to follow the president-elect’s policies. Will reject.
In Illinois, Democratic Gov. J. B. Pritzker pledged to uphold the sanctuary, boldly declaring, “If you come for my people, you’ll come through me.”
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In Los Angeles, Democratic Mayor Karen Bass was instrumental in passing a local ordinance limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
“I stand with the people of this city, especially in light of the growing threats to immigrant communities here in Los Angeles,” Bass said. “This moment demands urgency. Immigrant protections strengthen our communities and improve our cities.”
Thomas Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, speaks during the third day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at Fisro Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
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Trump has vowed to begin deportation efforts on his first day back in office, recently saying he would be willing to declare a national emergency and use the military to carry it out.
Trump’s determination to close the border was bolstered by his election of “border czar” Tom Homan.
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“If you don’t want to work with us, by all means get out,” Homan said recently.
