How long will the whiny, anti-Trump rebellion last?
President Trump’s executive order to freeze funding for “sanctuary cities” that refuse to enforce federal immigration law has been met with expected resistance from big-city liberal politicians nationwide. The order, which also instructs the Department of Homeland Security to release a weekly police blotter on crimes committed by illegal aliens, was issued “to better inform the public regarding the public safety threats associated with sanctuary jurisdictions.”
Despite the fact that such a policy would protect American citizens from the avoidable grief and loss that too many families have endured as a result of lax immigration enforcement, liberal officials across the country are throwing toddler-like, “federalism be damned” hissy-fits.
Last weekend, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told CNN’s Jake Tapper that he is prepared to legally challenge any “attempt to implement” Trump’s executive order in his city. The mayor stressed the need for illegals to have a “working relationship” with the NYPD, and not let fears of deportation hinder criminal investigations. De Blasio said he is willing to go so far as to shield undocumented aliens charged with drunk driving, grand larceny, and other “minor offenses” from federal prosecutors.
Many other city leaders have vowed similar protections in the wake of Trump’s bold actions regarding illegal immigration. By doing so, however, they risk losing millions in federal dollars — and the vital city services that come from them.
“In New York, Trump’s hometown, city officials said the administration’s action could take away over $150 million in law enforcement funding,” reported FoxNews.com and the AP. De Blasio and company also risk endangering, harming, or losing many more lives due to their own negligence.
Whether due to pride, stubbornness, or plain ignorance, the juvenile resistance of crybaby sanctuary city officials has been pervasive under the new Trump administration.
Chicago
Rahm: Chicago will remain sanctuary city despite Trump threat. @fspielman reports. https://t.co/7x0eEWO6Je
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) January 25, 2017
If there’s one thing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel loves, it’s federal money. In response to President Trump’s recent warnings of federal intervention to curb Chicago’s staggering murder rate, Emanuel said that the city would welcome federal help … in the form of cold, hard cash. But with policies like the $1.3 million Legal Protection Fund to defend illegal immigrants facing deportation, the chances of a monetary reward are unlikely.
Boston
Boston Mayor Martin Walsh made a rather dramatic gesture following Trump’s executive order. Walsh said he is prepared to turn Boston’s City Hall into a “safe space” shelter for illegals who are “targeted unjustly.”
“If the people want to live here they’ll live here, they can use my office, they can use any office in this building,” Walsh said.
The mayor added that he is fully prepared to incur the loss of federal funding in order to “protect” non-citizens: “If there’s strings attached to federal money coming out of Washington, D.C., that’s supposed to help our city, and there’s strings attached, then the money’s not worth taking.”
Los Angeles
"I’m not going to do it." Police aren't eager to help Trump enforce immigration laws https://t.co/7BIOgnAWWW pic.twitter.com/25tPzm0TJW
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 30, 2017
The L.A. Times headline describing local law enforcement’s reactions to Trump’s executive order is laughable, but it’s also completely illustrative of the juvenile mentality of sanctuary city proponents. “I’m not going to do it” sounds like a 2-year-old resisting his mother’s attempts to potty train him.
In this case, the LAPD officers contend that forcing police to report illegal immigrant criminals to DHS officials would destroy trust and discourage immigrants from reporting crimes.
“They should be running to us, not away from us,” Deputy Chief Robert Arcos told the Times. “We are here to be their protectors.”
That’s correct. L.A. police are willing to “protect” illegal immigrants who commit crimes, even if it means putting American citizens at risk. And as if that weren’t bad enough, California Democrats are also seeking to pass legislation that would make California the first “sanctuary state.” The bill “would prevent local law enforcement statewide from using resources to investigate, interrogate, detain, detect, report or arrest persons for immigration enforcement purposes.”
Washington, D.C.
Even after @realDonaldTrump's executive order, @MayorBowser said D.C. will remain a sanctuary city https://t.co/4Pl5F1WEvW pic.twitter.com/ejt81sW3Py
— The GW Hatchet (@gwhatchet) January 30, 2017
Earlier this month, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser pledged $500,000 in taxpayer dollars for a grant program to help illegal aliens in deportation proceedings, among other legal services. After Pres. Trump’s executive order was announced, Bowser held a press conference, reaffirming the District’s liberal immigration policies. She claimed that “there’s a lot of ambiguity” in the order and refused to comment on how D.C. would handle the potential loss of federal funding.
Cincinnati
Cincinnati defies Trump, becomes sanctuary city https://t.co/yycmSYFS9L pic.twitter.com/Bmj0o4Q8wV
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) January 31, 2017
Mayor John Cranley announced this week that Cincinnati will join the ranks of cities that refuse to enforce federal immigration law. He declared the “sanctuary city” label “a badge of honor.”
When quested about the potential withholding of federal funds, Cranley responded in the same way many initially respond to loss: denial.
“I don’t believe it,” he said. “I just don’t believe it.”
Denver
Mayor Hancock says he welcomes “sanctuary city” title if it means Denver supports immigrants and refugees https://t.co/hRDzQWsFKi pic.twitter.com/t8mR8txuVz
— Jesse Aaron Paul ☀ (@JesseAPaul) January 31, 2017