The brewing conflict between Democratic Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Tom Homan, former acting director of ICE and Trump’s pick for “border czar,” illustrates the growing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local resistance. Johnston’s vocal opposition to Trump’s border policies has set the stage for a fiery debate on legal and moral grounds.
Johnston recently declared his willingness to face jail time to protest what he considers “illegal or immoral or un-American” immigration enforcement. His defiant stance echoes his broader critique of federal policies, which he has likened to a potential “Tiananmen Square moment.” However, Homan wasted no time countering Johnston’s rhetoric, asserting that the mayor’s actions clearly violate federal law.
“All he has to do is look at Arizona v. U.S., and he would see he’s breaking the law,” Homan told Fox News host Sean Hannity. He emphasized the legal precedent for federal supremacy in immigration enforcement, referencing statutes that criminalize knowingly harboring undocumented immigrants. Homan’s position is unambiguous: “He’s willing to go to jail, I’m willing to put him in jail.”
Johnston, while resolute, has attempted to carve out a nuanced position. He has expressed support for deporting individuals convicted of serious crimes, signaling a willingness to partner on enforcement against violent offenders. Yet, he remains staunchly opposed to broader crackdowns, especially those he believes unjustly target immigrant communities. His approach calls for negotiation and “reasonable” solutions to complex problems, though his critics argue such resistance undermines national security and public safety.
Homan, echoing Trump’s tough-on-immigration stance, dismissed these objections as dangerous. “If Johnston doesn’t want to protect his communities, ICE will,” he warned. For Homan and his allies, the stakes are clear: secure borders, uphold the law, and prioritize public safety. For Johnston, the issue transcends legality, touching on morality and American ideals.
The drama seems to tip the Democrats hand as to what they are going to do to try and stop the incoming Trump administration.
