Denver’s Democratic Mayor Mike Johnston was blasted by his hometown newspaper for “sparking violent rhetoric” with his vow to resist That of President-elect Trump deportation of illegal immigrants.
The editorial staff of the Denver Post published an editorial Monday headlined, “Denver Mayor Was Wrong When He Threatened Armed Conflict to Protect Immigrants,” referring to Johnston’s recent suggestion that Denver police be deployed to resist federal immigration officials who are doing their job tried to implement.
“We are not surprised that Johnston has recklessly advanced the rhetoric around protecting Coloradans without legal immigration status. But that doesn’t make it okay,” the editorial said.
The newspaper said the mayor should “choose his words carefully” rather than joining “Trump’s arms race to stoke violent rhetoric around illegal immigration.”
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Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has faced criticism for the rhetoric used against newly elected President Trump’s potential mass deportation efforts. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post, file)
“Johnston should keep his comments away from violent conflict and focus on peaceful resistance,” the editorial said.
Johnston said during a recent interview with Denverite that he was willing to protest anything he believes is “illegal, immoral or un-American” in the city – predicting the use of city police against federal agents and a “Tiananmen Square moment.”
Johnston also said he was willing to go to jail for opposing the new Trump administration’s immigration policies. (RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images, file)
The mayor was then asked if he wanted that was willing to go to jail because they stand in the way of government policy.
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“Yeah, I’m not afraid of that, and I’m not looking for that,” Johnston said. “I think the goal is that we want to be able to negotiate with reasonable people about how to solve difficult problems.”
Tom Homan, Trump’s “border czar,” told Fox News’ Sean Hannity last week that he would imprison Johnston if he broke the law in protecting illegal immigrants.
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“All he has to do is look at Arizona versus USA and he will see that he is breaking the law. But look, me and the Greater Denver, We agree on one thing. He’s willing to go to jail, I’m willing to put him in jail.”
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan and Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.
