Senator Rand Paul has expressed strong disapproval of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s stance against mass deportations under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
Johnston, a Democrat, has vowed to prevent immigration officials from carrying out deportations in the city, signaling his commitment to protecting undocumented immigrants from the incoming administration’s aggressive policies.
Mayor Johnston Draws Comparisons to Tiananmen Square
In a bold statement, Mayor Johnston compared his planned resistance to the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in China, where citizens demanded political and economic reform from the Communist Party.
Johnston suggested his actions could spark a similar type of defiance, particularly from local residents who have shown support for migrants.
He added, “It’s like the Tiananmen Square moment with the rose and the gun—you’d have every one of those Highland moms who came out for the migrants. And you do not want to mess with them.”
Rand Paul Responds: A Threat to Federal Law
Senator Paul responded sharply, warning that the mayor’s resistance could have serious legal consequences.
He argued that any attempt to defy federal law could result in legal battles that may ultimately lead to Johnston’s removal from office.
“If he’s going to resist federal law, it will go all the way to the Supreme Court,” Paul said during an appearance on Face the Nation.
“I suspect that he would be removed from office.”
Paul also mentioned the possibility of criminal prosecution, though he acknowledged that it remains uncertain.
He further emphasized that Johnston’s actions could be viewed as a form of insurrection, where states challenge the authority of the federal government—a concept Paul argued had been rejected by most Americans long ago.
Trump’s Deportation Plans and Rand Paul’s Support
Paul’s criticism of Mayor Johnston came in response to a question about Trump’s proposal to use military forces for mass deportations.
Paul expressed his full support for deporting dangerous criminals, such as murderers and rapists, but he insisted that this should be done through legal, domestic policing methods rather than military intervention.
“You don’t do it with the Army because it’s illegal,” Paul explained, stressing that police must follow constitutional rules, including the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable search and seizure.
Trump’s Border Control Plans
Mass deportation has been a central focus of Donald Trump’s campaign, and his administration is expected to take significant steps upon taking office.
Trump has vowed to stop illegal immigration, close the southern border temporarily, and resume construction of the border wall with Mexico.
A series of executive orders, including one targeting international criminal gangs, are expected to be signed.
The new administration will prioritize deporting individuals with ties to gangs such as the Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua, who have used U.S. cities like Colorado’s Aurora as bases for criminal activities.
Trump’s broader deportation strategy also includes targeting immigrants who have overstayed visas or had their applications for legal status denied.
This plan, dubbed “Operation Aurora,” is expected to start with deporting criminals from countries the U.S. views as hostile, and then moving on to other undocumented individuals.
The Road Ahead: Mass Deportations and Civil Liberties Concerns
The mass deportation effort, which could eventually target millions of undocumented immigrants, is expected to escalate through various phases.
The plan involves raids on workplaces, such as farms and meatpacking plants, which critics, including the ACLU, have called “unconstitutional.”
Currently, there are an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., with deportations fast-tracked as part of the new administration’s crackdown.
As these policies unfold, the future of U.S. immigration remains uncertain, with legal and political battles likely to shape the next chapter of American immigration reform.
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