CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday got here out in opposition to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s testimony throughout a congressional listening to on “sanctuary cities,” calling it political spin.
Johnston joined New York Mayor Eric Adams, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson within the Home Committee on Oversight and Authorities Reform listening to on immigration.
Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert joined fellow Colorado Republicans Gabe Evans and Jeff Crank in grilling Denver’s mayor.
A combative Boebert – positioned proper in entrance of Johnston for her questioning – took him to process over Colorado legislation, the town’s alleged position within the rise of Tren de Aragua (TdA) in Aurora and the $2 million Denver’s metropolis council agreed to spend on authorized illustration for Johnston throughout the congressional inquiry.
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Watch: Boebert grills Denver mayor Johnston as he testifies in Congressional ‘sanctuary metropolis’ listening to
Boebert requested Johnston if he would be part of a name for a repeal of Colorado legislation that limits native legislation enforcement businesses of their interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“I don’t consider the detainer legislation must be modified,” Johnston stated, later referencing greater than 1,200 ICE detainers he says the town has honored.
Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday slammed Johnston’s testimony as political spin.
Commissioners Abe Laydon and George Teal instructed Denver7 they felt Johnston didn’t take possession of his help of the state’s immigration-friendly legal guidelines.
“He is on Capitol Hill immediately saying, ‘Oh no, it isn’t me. It is a state legislation.’ Properly, come on, it is disingenuous. It is disappointing,” stated Teal.
The commissioners consider Johnston’s welcoming message to immigrants lately contributed to the state’s current inflow, which got here with strained sources, finances cuts and high-profile crime.
“[Denver] thought that they had a plan. It seems they could not truly execute the logistics on the bottom,” stated Laydon, who referenced a letter despatched from Douglas County commissioners to Johnston in March 2024, asking him to reverse what commissioners name sanctuary insurance policies. “We have been sounding the alarm bells, saying, ‘That is unhealthy for Coloradans,’ and that was met with no response.”
“We need to be human-first and human-centric. We at all times are,” Laydon added. “That is why, as a board, we help authorized immigration. Undergo the correct channels, and you may be totally supported.”
The commissioners additionally criticized the Metropolis of Denver’s legislation agency contract, which may pay as much as $2 million by Jan. 2026 for the congressional inquiry, a course of that can possible transcend Wednesday’s testimony in Washington, D.C.
Politics
Boebert, Evans, Crank grill Denver mayor throughout ‘sanctuary metropolis’ listening to
The rhetoric ramped up within the commissioners’ press launch, the place Teal wrote, “Transfer over Joseph Stalin! Mayor Johnston rewrites historical past in DC.” When requested why he in contrast Johnston to the notorious Soviet dictator, Teal stated it was as a result of Johnston didn’t take accountability for his actions that contributed to the state’s immigration disaster.
“He’s rewriting historical past. I imply, for goodness sakes, what’s subsequent?” Teal instructed Denver7. “The fact is, he began us down that street immediately by simply not even acknowledging what his stance truly was, what his phrases truly have been when he took over as mayor of Denver, and the phrase was, ‘We love the migrants.’”
Teal additionally referenced Johnston’s feedback responding to President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan when he in contrast Denver’s potential response to the Tiananmen Sq. protests and prompt Denver police may very well be a part of the resistance to federal brokers. Johnston has since walked again these feedback.
But Laydon and Teal stated Wednesday they need to work with Johnston. They consider, as a part of the Denver metro space, his pro-immigration stance impacts public security within the surrounding areas.
“He is a pleasant man. I consider he needs to do the best factor,” Laydon stated of Johnston. “It isn’t too late… Situation a brand new govt order [repealing immigrant protections] in order that because the Denver metro space, we will preserve our residents protected.”
“If he is not capable of exert the management to have true, efficient insurance policies, pay attention, we’re simply going to need to take extra steps to distance ourselves in authorized framework, in coverage set, from Denver,” Teal stated. “Whether or not that is taking stances within the Denver Regional Council of Governments to help the president’s plan to defund cities which might be sanctuary cities, or it is different steps that we may take to distance ourselves to the place we will have higher management domestically over the legal guidelines that govern us.”
Douglas County sued the state over legal guidelines limiting cooperation with ICE. A Denver choose dismissed that go well with, however the county is interesting that call.
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