The Democratic mayors of four major liberal cities are being called to Congress to testify for running their “sanctuary cities” policies.
The House Oversight Committee recently sent out letters to the four mayors.
“The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating sanctuary jurisdictions across the United States and their impact on public safety and the effectiveness of federal efforts to enforce the immigration laws of the United States. Sanctuary jurisdictions and their misguided and obstructionist policies hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities, making Americans less safe,” wrote Chairman Comer.
Comer stated that “Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City are sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.”
He added that such sanctuary jurisdictions are “states, counties or cities that put some limits on how much they are willing to cooperate with federal agencies’ efforts to deport” illegal aliens.
“These jurisdictions take it upon themselves to decide what laws they will and will not abide by all for the purpose of shielding removable aliens, especially criminals, from federal law enforcement,” he continued, noting, “There are about 12 states and hundreds of cities and counties with sanctuary laws or policies across the country.”
“On the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump took decisive actions to restore the rule of law with respect to immigration enforcement,” Chairman Comer explained. “In addition to the efforts of the Trump Administration to ensure federal immigration enforcement can proceed unimpeded, Congress must determine whether further legislation is necessary to enhance border security and public safety. It is imperative that federal immigration law is enforced and that criminal aliens are swiftly removed from our communities.”
- Boston Mayor Michelle Wu
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson
- Denver Mayor Mike Johnston
- New York City Mayor Eric Adams
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was one of the mayors to be called to testify before Congress, as noted by Fox 32.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson remains firm in his support for the city’s sanctuary status, despite mounting pressure from the White House and national polls indicating that most Americans favor stricter immigration enforcement. His stance has frustrated some moderate members of the Chicago City Council, who have voiced concerns over the policy’s impact on city resources and public sentiment.
The debate over Chicago’s sanctuary law has intensified as the city continues to grapple with an influx of migrants, straining shelters and social services. While Johnson has defended the policy as a commitment to protecting immigrant rights, critics argue that it places an undue burden on local taxpayers and law enforcement.
The internal divisions within Chicago’s leadership reflect broader national tensions over immigration policy, with some council members pushing for reconsideration of the sanctuary law. However, Johnson has shown no signs of backing down, maintaining that Chicago will remain a welcoming city for all, regardless of federal pressure.
“The liberals control everything,” Chicago Alderman Nicholas Sposato said. “So if they want to remain a sanctuary city and protect criminals over law-abiding citizens in our community then I guess that’s the way it’s going to be.”
Alderman Nicholas Sposato was one of just 11 Chicago aldermen who voted in January to amend the city’s Welcoming City Ordinance (WCO), which prohibits local authorities from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The proposed amendment sought to allow cooperation in cases where an illegal migrant was wanted for serious criminal offenses.
However, the measure was overwhelmingly rejected by the City Council’s left-wing majority in a 39-11 vote. Alderman Raymond Lopez, who introduced the amendment alongside another Democrat, condemned the decision, arguing that the current policy protects dangerous criminals.
“It shouldn’t take an act of Congress or City Council, for that matter, to say we’re not going to protect child sexual predators and human traffickers,” Lopez remarked. “But yet, that’s exactly what the City Council did when it rejected the amendment that would allow our police officers to work with federal partners when someone is arrested or convicted of four very specific violent and dangerous crimes.”
The amendment specifically targeted illegal migrants arrested or convicted of:
- Sexual crimes against minors
- Gang-related activities
- Drug-related offenses
- Prostitution-related crimes
Lopez criticized the city’s stance, saying some of his colleagues dismissed ICE cooperation altogether. “My colleagues have said, ‘If ICE wants them, ICE can go get them in the neighborhoods themselves. We’re not going to help,’” he said. “Well, who does that really help?”
Rep. Delia Ramirez recently addressed a Chicago crowed and vowed resistance to Trump’s deportation policies.
“We have shown them that we are courageous,” Ramirez said. “We have shown them that we are organized. And we have shown them that they will not break us.”
Chicago is about to be tested on its sanctuary city status, along with New York City, Boston, Denver, and other major liberal cities.
Schiff Wrecked: Kash Patel Blows Up Senate Democrat’s J6 Narrative at Hearing
FBI Director nominee Kash Patel fired back at Democratic California Sen. Adam Schiff as he spewed several allegations about his past involvement with a song sung by the “J6 Prison Choir” during his Thursday confirmation hearing.
Schiff accused Patel of being unfit to be FBI director due to his promotion of a March 2023 song recorded by the “J6 Prison Choir” titled “Justice for All,” which consisted of defendants convicted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Patel said he had no knowledge about the defendants’ backgrounds and said he had instead “promoted the hell out of” assisting families in need.
“Isn’t that great? People who violently attack police have a number one song thanks to you, Mr. Patel. That’s something to be really proud of,” Schiff sarcastically said. “Now you claim, Mr. Patel, you didn’t know abut any of these people in the choir, is that right?”
“I did not know about the violent offenders and I did not participate in any of the violence in and around January 6,” the nominee said.
Patel, who said he did not record the song himself, released a music video for the song on Steve Bannon’s “War Room,” which included prisoners singing the National Anthem as Trump recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The song reached No. 1 on iTunes’ top songs following its release.
Patel immediately shot back at the senator as he challenged him to tell the Capitol police officers present in the room that he is proud of his promotion of the song, stating that he has always condemned violence against police officers and had worked alongside them throughout his entire career.
“I want you to turn around, there are Capitol police officers behind you. Take a look at them right now. Turn around … I want you to look at them, if you have the courage to look them in the eye, Mr. Patel, and tell them you’re proud of what you did,” Schiff said. “Tell them you’re proud that you raised money off of people who assaulted their colleagues, who pepper sprayed them, that beat them with poles. Tell them you’re proud of what you did, Mr. Patel. They’re right there, guarding you, tell them how proud you are.”
“That is an abject lie and you know it, I’ve never, never, ever accepted violence against law enforcement. I have worked with these men and women as you know my entire life and I did not make a single dime out of this,” Patel said. “How about you ask them if I have their backs and let’s see about that answer.”
Schiff stated that an FBI director should not promote songs recorded by individuals who committed violence against police officers and FBI agents. Patel repeatedly exclaimed he is fit for the position due to the years he has spent in public service.
The California senator then transitioned to asking Patel if he had made claims that Trump declassified the documents stored at Mar-a-Lago. Patel told the senator that Trump declassified “a large number” of materials that were later held in Mar-a-Lago, but did not confirm that he had done so for all the classified documents.
Trump later faced criminal charges for the alleged unlawful storage of classified materials in his residence, though Judge Aileen Cannon later dismissed the case due to its said violation of the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The House of Representatives voted to censure Schiff in June 2023 for falsely claiming he had evidence that Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Russia while he served as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy removed Schiff from the Intelligence Committee at the beginning of the 118th Congress in January 2023 over his conduct.
Story by Nicole Silverio of the Daily Caller News Foundation.