Denver Mayor Mike Johnston says Trump’s mass migrant deportations will create ‘Tiananmen Square moment’

Democratic Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has made it clear that he will not back down in the face of President-elect Trump’s proposed immigration policies. In a bold statement, Johnston referenced China’s Tiananmen Square incident, warning that residents would rise up against federal agents if they attempted to enforce strict immigration laws in Denver.

Speaking to the Denverite, Johnston reiterated the city’s commitment to protecting illegal migrants and maintaining its sanctuary city status. He stated, “We’re not going to sell out those values to anyone. We’re not going to be bullied into changing them.” The mayor’s defiance comes amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions between local and federal authorities on immigration issues.

Johnston went on to predict a “Tiananmen Square moment” if federal immigration officials tried to carry out mass deportations in Denver. He emphasized the strong support from the community, stating, “More than us having DPD stationed at the county line to keep them out, you would have 50,000 Denverites there. 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 mayor’s stance reflects a broader trend among state and local officials who are pushing back against the incoming administration’s immigration policies. In Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker has vowed to uphold sanctuary status, declaring, “If you come for my people, you come through me.” Similarly, in Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass has been instrumental in passing ordinances limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

President-elect Trump has made it clear that he intends to ramp up deportation efforts, with plans to declare a national emergency and potentially use the military to enforce stricter immigration laws. His appointment of Tom Homan as “border czar” signals a tough stance on immigration enforcement.

As tensions continue to rise between state and federal authorities on immigration issues, Mayor Johnston’s unwavering commitment to protecting migrants and upholding Denver’s sanctuary city status sets the stage for a potential showdown with the incoming administration. The city’s residents have made it clear that they will not back down in the face of threats to their values and communities.