Senator Paul Comments On Statements Made By Mayor
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) issued a sharp warning on Sunday, asserting that Denver Mayor Mike Johnston could face removal from office if he follows through on his controversial vow to obstruct federal immigration enforcement.
The conflict centers on Johnston's declaration that he would deploy Denver Police at the city’s borders to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from carrying out deportation operations.
Johnston’s defiant rhetoric, likening a potential standoff with ICE to a “Tiananmen Square moment,” has drawn intense criticism and raised questions about the limits of federal versus local authority. The mayor doubled down on his position, claiming he was “not afraid” of the legal consequences, even arrest.
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
Speaking to CBS News, Paul, a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, emphasized the constitutional supremacy of federal law over state and local policies. “The mayor of Denver, if he’s going to resist federal law, which there’s a longstanding history of the supremacy of federal law, it will go all the way to the Supreme Court,” Paul said. “And I would suspect that he would be removed from office.”
Paul underscored the seriousness of Johnston’s actions, framing them as a direct challenge to federal authority. “What he is offering is a form of insurrection, where the states resist the federal government,” Paul stated. While uncertain about potential criminal charges, Paul expressed confidence that Johnston’s resistance would not withstand legal scrutiny and could lead to significant legal and political consequences.
Your terms are acceptable. https://t.co/5zuZwhxyPd
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Johnston’s stance highlights a broader ideological clash between sanctuary city policies and federal immigration enforcement. Sanctuary cities, like Denver, often resist cooperation with ICE, arguing that doing so fosters trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement. Critics, however, contend that such policies undermine federal immigration laws and pose risks to public safety.
Paul concluded his remarks with a stern prediction: “The mayor of Denver is on the wrong side of history, and, really, I think, will face legal ramifications if he doesn’t obey the federal law.”