Tom Homan, set to be Donald Trump’s incoming border czar, has issued a stern warning to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, threatening to incarcerate him over his defiance of Trump’s mass deportation policy targeting undocumented migrants. Johnston, a Democrat, has publicly stated his willingness to risk jail time to resist federal immigration enforcement measures in his city.
Homan's warning came during an appearance on Fox News with host Sean Hannity. He declared, “Me and the Denver mayor, we agree on one thing; he’s willing to go to jail. I’m willing to put him in jail.” His remarks followed Johnston’s earlier comments on a local Denver news station where the mayor affirmed his readiness to stand against federal immigration crackdowns, likening his stance to an act of protest.
The Denver mayor has been vocal in his opposition to Trump’s immigration policies, previously suggesting that Denver police could intervene at city limits to block federal agents. Although he later withdrew that suggestion, Johnston reiterated his commitment to protecting Denver’s immigrant communities. “We want to negotiate with reasonable people on how to solve tough problems,” he said, adding that while he is not eager to face incarceration, he is “not afraid of it.”
Johnston’s defiance follows Trump’s campaign rhetoric, where he labeled Aurora, a suburb of Denver, as a “war zone” over alleged gang activity tied to Venezuelan immigrants.
Homan doubled down on his threats, citing federal statutes that criminalize knowingly harboring undocumented immigrants and obstructing federal law enforcement. He stated, “If [Johnston] doesn’t want to help, that’s fine. He can get out of the way. But we’re going to do the job.” He also criticized the city’s leadership, claiming it was prioritizing politics over public safety.
Homan, who previously served as deputy director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump’s first term, has been outspoken against “sanctuary cities” that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. He argued that Trump’s immigration agenda has a “mandate from the American people ... to save American lives.”
Denver is not the only jurisdiction opposing Trump’s deportation plans. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker have also vowed to resist federal immigration enforcement. Pritzker recently remarked, “If you come for my people, you come through me.”
In response to such opposition, Homan hinted at financial repercussions for non-compliant cities and states. Speaking in a separate Fox News interview, he warned, “We will withhold federal funding. That’s going to happen, I guarantee you.”
The escalating tensions between Trump’s incoming administration and local leaders underscore a broader national debate over immigration policy and federal authority. As Johnston and other leaders brace for potential clashes with federal enforcement, Homan’s comments suggest the Trump administration is prepared to take aggressive action to implement its immigration agenda.
This standoff sets the stage for a contentious relationship between federal authorities and sanctuary cities across the U.S., highlighting the stark divisions on how the nation addresses immigration.
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