Denver Mayor Mike Johnston says Trump's mass deportation will create a 'Tiananmen Square moment'.
Democratic Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has vowed to reject President Trump's proposed immigration policies, using China's infamous Tiananmen Square incident to say citizens would revolt against federal agents.
Johnston emphasized Denver's commitment to protecting illegal immigrants and maintaining sanctuary city status, saying they will not be “exploited” by the incoming Trump administration.
“We're not going to sell those gems to anybody,” Johnston told The Denverite in an interview. “We will not be exploited to change them.”
'SANCTUARY' CITY MAYOR VOWS TO OPPOSE TRUMP PUBLIC DEPORTATION: 'CAUSES COMPLETE FEAR'
Mayor Mike Johnston recently announced major budget cuts for Denver city government to better deal with the immigration crisis. (RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Johnston predicted a “Tiananmen Square moment” if immigration officials try to do their job.
“In addition to us having DPD standing at the county line to keep them out, you'd have 50,000 Denverites there,” Johnston told a local outlet. “It's like a Tiananmen Square moment with a rose and a gun, right? You're going to have all those Highland mothers who came out to the migrants.
“And you don't want to mess with them.”
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The Democratic mayor's comments come after Trump campaigned, in part, on tougher immigration laws and deporting immigrants and pointed to a trend of state and local officials saying they would reject the president-elect's policies.
In Illinois, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker pledged to support sanctuary status, boldly declaring, “If you come for my people, you come for me.”
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In Los Angeles, Democratic Mayor Karen Bass helped pass a local law limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
“Especially because of the increasing threats to the immigrant communities here in Los Angeles, I stand with the people of this city,” said Bass. “This time needs to be urgent. Immigrant protection makes our communities stronger and our city better.”
Thomas Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, speaks on the third day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 17, 2024. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
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Trump has vowed to begin deportation efforts on his first day back in office, recently saying he would be open to declaring a national emergency and using the military to make it happen.
Trump's commitment to closing the border was reinforced by his choice of “border king,” Tom Homan.
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“If you don't want to work with us, get the hell out of here every time. We will,” Homan said recently.
