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Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has openly declared his readiness to face jail time to shield illegal immigrants, including those with criminal records, from President-elect Donald Trump’s impending deportation crackdown. Johnston’s bold stance, rooted in Denver’s sanctuary city policies, has sparked national attention and controversy as he positions the city as a stronghold of resistance against federal immigration enforcement.

During a recent interview with Denverite, Johnston laid out his vision of turning Denver into a “fortress of resistance.” The mayor proposed a strategy involving the mobilization of both local police and residents to prevent federal immigration authorities from conducting deportations.

Johnston’s plan includes using Denver police officers and potentially tens of thousands of citizens as a line of defense against federal efforts. He likened the resistance to historical acts of defiance, albeit in a controversial comparison.

“More than us having [Denver Police] stationed at the county line to keep them out, you would have 50,000 Denverites there,” Johnston said. “It’s like the Tiananmen Square moment with the rose and the gun, right? You’d have every one of those Highland moms who came out for the migrants. And you do not want to mess with them.”

The comparison to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, a brutal crackdown by China’s communist regime, drew immediate criticism. Many found the analogy inflammatory and inappropriate, given the historical context of violence and oppression.

Johnston later expressed regret for the analogy during a follow-up interview with 9NEWS, admitting he “wouldn’t have used that image” if given another chance. He clarified that his intention was to avoid such a scenario in the United States.

“I think none of us want that,” Johnston said. “What I was trying to say is this is an outcome I hope we can avoid in this country.”

Despite walking back his remarks about Tiananmen Square, Johnston doubled down on his overall stance. When asked directly if he was prepared to go to jail for his actions, the mayor responded unequivocally: “I’m not afraid of that.”

Johnston’s comments signal his commitment to protecting Denver’s undocumented immigrant population, even if it means defying federal law. His stance aligns with the city’s sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

9NEWS Reporter Marc Sallinger: Talk about civil disobedience. You’ve mentioned that a couple of times now. Would you be willing to participate in those as the mayor of Denver? Would you be willing to go out and protest these things?

Mike Johnston: If I believe that our residents are having their rights violated, if I think things are happening that are illegal or immoral or un-American in our city, I would certainly protest it, and I would expect other residents would do the same.

Marc Sallinger: Trump’s new border czar, Tom Homan, has said that he is willing to arrest leaders like yourself for standing in the way of these policies they want to enact. Would you be willing to go to jail for these things?

Mike Johnston: Yeah, I’m not afraid of that. I’m also not seeking that. I think the goal is we want to be able to negotiate with reasonable people on how to solve hard problems. Republican and Democratic presidents in the past have all tried to find solutions to these problems. President Reagan helped people get access to work so they could stay and support themselves. Biden and Harris worked on restricting entry at the border to close it down. There are a lot of ways to approach this problem. We don’t think it has to come to this.

Johnston’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from opponents of sanctuary city policies, who argue that his actions undermine the rule of law and place public safety at risk. Critics point out that some individuals protected under sanctuary policies may have criminal records, raising concerns about prioritizing the rights of undocumented immigrants over the safety of law-abiding citizens.

Supporters, however, view Johnston’s position as a moral stand against what they see as overly harsh federal immigration policies. Advocacy groups and progressive leaders have praised his commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and resisting what they describe as xenophobic policies from the Trump administration.

Johnston’s strategy of community mobilization has also garnered attention, with some calling it a bold and necessary act of defiance, while others question its practicality and potential to escalate tensions.

Denver’s sanctuary city stance is part of a broader national debate over immigration enforcement and the role of local governments in federal policies. Sanctuary cities have long been a flashpoint in the immigration debate, with proponents arguing they provide essential protections for undocumented immigrants and critics contending they create safe havens for lawbreakers.

President-elect Trump has promised to crack down on sanctuary cities, warning of potential funding cuts for jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Denver’s defiance, led by Johnston, sets the stage for a high-stakes battle between local and federal authorities.

Johnston’s rhetoric has elevated Denver’s role in this national conflict, with his willingness to risk arrest drawing comparisons to past acts of civil disobedience in the name of social justice.

As Johnston prepares to lead Denver through this contentious period, his actions will likely face both legal and political challenges. Federal authorities may test the limits of sanctuary city protections, and Johnston’s defiance could result in significant consequences for the city and its residents.

For now, Johnston’s message is clear: Denver will stand as a “fortress of resistance” against what he sees as unjust immigration policies, even if it means defying federal law. Whether this approach will inspire similar acts of resistance across the country or provoke further backlash remains to be seen.

As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, Johnston’s stance positions Denver as a key battleground in the national debate over immigration enforcement.

24 comments

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  • Then Imprison the Communist bastard.!
    Shielding illegals from a lawful order from a sitting President when President Trump regains presidential power should be Treason..

    Put that woke commie bastard in handcuffs and charge him for Sedition/Treason on national television for everyone to see.

    • Absolutely and he is obviously infested with the same brain eating demon worm that has controlled Kama-Chameleon and “Scranton Joe” “Lyin’ Biden!”

      The “Demoncrap Insanity Party” is over; this clown just doesn’t want to believe it!

      Now he wants to override the will of the American People and the New Sheriff/President so he anointed himself King! Believing your own hype there Denver Mayor?

      Absolutely and he is obviously infested with the same brain eating demon worm that has controlled Kama-Chameleon and “Scranton Joe” “Lyin’ Biden!”

      The “Demoncrap Insanity Party” is over; this clown just doesn’t want to believe it!

      Now he wants to override the will of the American People and the New Sheriff/President so he anointed himself King! Believing your own hype there Denver Mayor?

      Yes Michael there is no doubt he wants to “aid and abet” and “harbor Felony Federal Law Breakers” as defined under the “US Constitution.”
      I say that alone “supersedes” his “little Mayoral jurisdiction;” what a nit-wit!

      • My copy paste was an error so thusly the repeat, but I like repeating these facts often whether verbal or written anyway, I plan to continue stating many of them repetitively moving forward, as I exercise my “First Amendment Right.”

  • Similar to the military, law enforcement officers swear an oath to uphold & defend the Constitution, not to be the President’s or Mayor’s personal security team serving at their whim. He’s in for a surprise if he tries this abuse of authority.

  • Maybe this POS wouldn’t think about keeping ILLEGALS if someone in his family was harmed by an ILLEGAL!!! How many more families have to suffer at the hands of illegal criminals who have been let in by Biden/ Harris’s administration!!!! This clown needs to protect the American families not the ILLEGAL ones!!

    • Ron, that’s right which proved he is one derelict evil bastard, and what the hell, does he want to declare that Denver is declaring sovereignty and isn’t part of the United States of America? Of course he must be a freaking “Leftist madman” to even suggest such; but if he carries his charade any further he will get “slammed dunked” and then “tossed into a federal prison” probably Leavenworth, just in time to hear the winter wind howling!

      Obama, Schumer, Clinton’s, Pelosi, Schiff, Biden, Harris and all the rest of the power hungry megalomaniacs of the Demoncrap Party started all this turmoil in our Country along with McConnell, McCarthy, Graham, Bush’s, Cheney’s and all the rest of the Rino conspirators; nearly running the Nation off the rails and into the ground!

  • This anti-American asshole power hungry delusional punk is obviously an enemy within, and totally GITMO material! Please make sure to house him there with his ruthless “Satan worshiping” gang banging cutthroat pals the “Tren de Aragua!”

  • First he denies that gangs have taken over an apartment complex. Now he positions himself in opposition to Federal law. How dare he claim moral high ground for shielding criminals and gang members from deportation. How dare he ignore the danger to the people of Colorado. What a POS !!

  • Eleanor Santo, very well said and right to the heart of the matter!

    He is EVIL, I think of that poor young woman Laken Riley whenever I see or hear anything about this fake public servant creep now, who thinks he is a for real Mayor! The nerve of that POS to speak so arrogantly as a supposed servant of the people in Denver; when it has been just this type of off the wall and “Illegal Invader” policy promotion that caused Laken to be subjected to such a horrific death at the hands of Illegal Scum that are running rampant throughout our Nation! All of which was facilitated by Evil Biden, Harris, Mayorkas, Garland and the rest of that evil administration, along with advocates like this punk in Denver! They all have the blood of many innocent victims including hundreds of thousands of trafficked little children on their hands that they directly caused or promoted; and they are going to suffer in hell for it all!

  • Conspiracy to violate US law. Years in prison, without lubrication. Ignorant mayor doesn’t know what happened in , after the cameras were turned off. What if US Marshals deputize 10,000 volunteers ? 100,000 ?

  • Sounds like an idiot ! The Tiananmen Square moment with the rose and gun ?? Tiananmen Square was a guy facing off with a tank, the flowers and gun was during Vietnam in front of the White House by Hippies , and it was regular flowers , not roses …

    • Correct Ted!
      I think this punk is an out of touch with reality attention whore! He’s behaving like the Demoncrap cabal is still ruling the roost and he can still get all the free passes he wants! He’ll wake up in a Federal Pen!

    • I’ll second that Earnest T Bass, it’s high time We bring back the penalties set fourth as defined in the Constitution, and the Hell with the Woke sissies and Communist Democrats.

  • This Moron Only Sees $$$!-It Will Go To Prison With a Few Other Charges And The Criminal Migrants Will Be Deported And Released Left To Do It ALL Again Some Where Else!

  • He may be willing to go to jail in a misguided effort to stop the deportation of criminal aliens, however, ordering others to do so as well, including the police that have to deal with the crimes and drugs that these illegals bring in is asking too much. I hope that the Denver police discount what their mayor is saying and co-operate with ICE and other Federal agencies.

  • Just how stupid can stupid get! When our real president takes office, he should be on the list to be first. I am sure the residents there has different opinions. Maybe some of those illegals are good people but first of all, they broke the law when entering the states so that automatically makes them a criminal! Get them out!

  • Mike Johnston, a dimwitted liberal minion, is obviously making the puppet master so proud defying a Presidential order. He’s worried about his constituents. Correct me if I’m wrong, but his constituents aren’t unvetted illegals. They’re leeches sucking up taxpayer dollars for their existence while bringing in drugs, crime and disease to Americans. Americans have given both sides of the political aisle the message by a landslide election win for Trump. Get rid of the crap coming in illegally through our borders, build the wall and heal the country.

  • Note: Folks, let’s don’t come down too hard on Mayor Johnston. When President Trump turns the team we old cops are putting together loose (see note to President Trump below), we hope little Mike is one of our first assignments. We have already made sure a box of tissues and a bundle of Pampers are in our kit bags.

    Soldier/Cop/Grunt, Retired
    PS Must admit Mayor Johnston is my cousin. I have had to knock on his head several times over the years.

    President Trump: As an old cop I hereby offer to raise a volunteer team of cops to handle the detention and delivery to the nearest federal magistrate of any person (regardless of standing) who interferes in any manner with the enforcement of all the immigration statutes of this nation. Most of us old cops and soldiers have been waiting for you to prove to the rest of the world that America now has a true “Battle Captain” to lead us in Making America Great Again.

    Soldier/Cop/Grunt, Retired