Democratic Mayor Mike Johnston of Denver was reprimanded by a local newspaper for “amplifying violent rhetoric” with his vow to resist President-elect Trump's deportation of illegal immigrants.
The editorial committee is denver post On Monday, he published an editorial with the headline, “Denver Mayor Was Wrong to Threaten Armed Conflict to Protect Immigrants,” using Denver police to resist federal immigration authorities trying to do their jobs. He referred to Mr. Johnston's recent proposal.
“We are not surprised that Mr. Johnston has recklessly escalated his rhetoric about protecting Coloradans without legal immigration status, but that does not make it OK,” the editorial said.
The newspaper said the mayor “must choose his words carefully” instead of joining “President Trump's increasingly violent arms race on illegal immigration.”
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Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is facing backlash for rhetoric used against President-elect Trump's potential mass deportation efforts. (Hyun Chan/The Denver Post, File)
“Mr. Johnston should shift his rhetoric away from violent conflict and focus on peaceful resistance,” the editorial said.
Johnston said in a recent interview. Contains Denverite He said he was ready to protest anything he deemed “illegal, immoral and un-American” in the city, and predicted the influx of city police against federal agents and a “Tiananmen Square moment.” did.
Johnston also said he was prepared to go to prison for opposing the incoming Trump administration's immigration policies. (RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images, File)
The mayor was then asked if he would be willing to go to jail for interfering with policies enacted by his administration.
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“Yeah, I'm not afraid of it and I'm not looking for it,” Johnston said. “I think the goal is to be able to negotiate with reasonable people.” [on] How to solve difficult problems. ”
Tom Homan, President Trump's nominee as “border czar,” told Fox News' Sean Hannity last week that he would jail Johnston if he broke the law protecting illegal immigrants.
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“All he has to do is watch the Arizona vs. United States game and realize he's breaking the law. But look, me and the mayor of Denver, we agree on one thing. He's going to jail, and I'm willing to put him in jail. ”
Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan and Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.
