Rand Paul vs. Denver’s Sanctuary City Policies
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) recently took a strong stance against Denver Mayor Mike Johnston on Face the Nation. He warned that there could be serious consequences if Johnston continues to ignore federal immigration laws and President Trump’s plans for deportation. Paul accused the mayor of engaging in what he called a “form of insurrection” by declaring Denver a sanctuary city and resisting federal enforcement.
Johnston’s Controversial Plan
Mayor Johnston has proposed an unusual plan where he wants to mobilize local police officers and thousands of residents to form human barricades. This would block federal agents from deporting illegal immigrants, including those with criminal records. Although Johnston later softened some of his harsh words, his overall strategy hasn’t changed, leading to pushback from Republicans like Senator Paul.
Targeting Violent Offenders
Paul made it clear that he is all for going after violent offenders. He stated, “I’m 100% supportive of going after the 15,000 murderers, the 13,000 sexual assault perpetrators, [and] rapists.” His message is simple: let’s send these criminals either back to prison or out of our country entirely. However, he strongly opposes using the U.S. Army for enforcing immigration laws at home because he sees it as unconstitutional.
“We’ve had a long-standing distrust of putting the Army into our streets,” Paul explained further. “The police understand the Fourth Amendment; they go to judges, get warrants, and ensure specificity.” He believes in removing illegal immigrants through standard policing methods rather than military intervention.
The Legal Consequences for Defiance
When discussing the potential legal fallout from Johnston’s actions, Paul didn’t hold back: “The mayor of Denver, if he’s going to resist federal law… it will go all the way to the Supreme Court,” he said confidently. He suspects that this could lead to Johnston being removed from office and hinted at possible criminal prosecution for anyone who defies federal law.
Johnston’s Stance on Rights
The mayor seems unfazed by these warnings. In an interview with 9NEWS, Johnston declared that he’s willing to face jail time if necessary: “If I believe that our residents are having their rights violated… I would certainly protest it.” He insists his actions align with moral principles despite facing significant backlash.
A Showdown Over Immigration Policy
This clash sets up a tense legal and political battle between Mayor Johnston’s defiance and Trump’s tough immigration policies. Tom Homan—Trump’s newly appointed border czar—has pledged to crack down on local leaders like Johnston who stand in opposition to federal efforts regarding immigration enforcement. Homan has even stated he’s ready to make arrests if needed.
The situation in Denver highlights a larger debate about authority when it comes to handling illegal immigration issues across America.
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