Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) took aim at Denver Mayor Mike Johnston during a fiery appearance on Face the Nation, warning of serious consequences if Johnston continues to defy federal immigration laws and President Trump’s proposed deportation measures. Paul accused the mayor of engaging in a “form of insurrection” by declaring Denver a sanctuary city and actively resisting federal enforcement.
Johnston’s controversial plan involves mobilizing Denver police officers and thousands of residents to form human barricades, obstructing federal agents attempting to deport illegal immigrants, including those with criminal records. While Johnston later walked back some of his inflammatory rhetoric, his overall strategy remains unchanged, prompting backlash from Republicans like Paul.
Paul made it clear that he supports targeting violent offenders, stating, “I’m 100% supportive of going after the 15,000 murderers, the 13,000 sexual assault perpetrators, [and] rapists. Let’s send them on their way to prison or back home to another prison.” However, he strongly opposed using the U.S. Army to enforce immigration laws domestically, labeling such a move as unconstitutional.
“We’ve had a long-standing distrust of putting the Army into our streets,” Paul explained. “The police understand the Fourth Amendment. They go to judges, get warrants, and ensure specificity. So, I’m for removing these people, but through the normal process of domestic policing.”
Paul didn’t mince words when addressing the legal ramifications of Johnston’s defiance. “The mayor of Denver, if he’s going to resist federal law… it will go all the way to the Supreme Court,” Paul said. “I would suspect that he would be removed from office. I don’t know whether or not there’d be a criminal prosecution for someone resisting federal law, but he will lose.”
Johnston, undeterred by these warnings, told 9NEWS that he is willing to face jail time if necessary. “If I believe that our residents are having their rights violated… I would certainly protest it,” Johnston said, asserting that his actions are in line with moral principles.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) says that the mayor of Denver will be removed from office if he resists federal law enforcement officials who are deporting illegal aliens: “It’s a form of insurrection” pic.twitter.com/P9e4fVxVxu
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) November 24, 2024
Trump’s newly appointed border czar, Tom Homan, has vowed to crack down on local leaders like Johnston who obstruct federal immigration efforts, stating he is prepared to make arrests if needed.
The clash sets the stage for a heated legal and political showdown as Johnston’s defiance collides with Trump’s aggressive immigration agenda. For now, Denver remains a flashpoint in the broader debate over federal and local authority in addressing illegal immigration.
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