Mayors of 'Sanctuary Cities' Aim to Avert a Disgraceful Scene in Congress
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is collaborating with former Biden lawyer Dana Remus as the city gets ready to collect and redact documents that could potentially put municipal employees at risk of political attacks for assisting migrants.
TroibNews 
Democratic mayors from four sanctuary cities that protect migrants are preparing for intense scrutiny from House Republicans. With advisers, lawyers, and plans to redact documents in place, these mayors aim to avoid a repeat of the recent congressional hearings that became a spectacle for three Ivy League presidents.
Currently, they are reaching out to various contacts for advice on handling the pressures that led to the resignation of University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill during a congressional hearing addressing antisemitism at prestigious universities.
As congressional Republicans prepare to question the mayors of New York, Chicago, Boston, and Denver about their immigration policies, they will face tough inquiries, particularly about isolated violent crime incidents involving undocumented immigrants.
“I just want to make sure that people understand that [this is] a city that has been established by immigrants and migrants who were formerly enslaved,” stated Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, emphasizing the city's immigrant roots. “It’s the global capital of the world, and we’re going to continue to show up at our very best.”
Chairman James Comer of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is gearing up for the hearing, reflecting on his previous experiences during the university presidents' inquiry. In order to prepare for the politically charged atmosphere, Comer and his colleagues recently consulted Stephen Miller, former Deputy Chief of Staff and architect of aggressive immigration policies during the Trump administration.
“We expect accountability — we expect the mandate that President Trump was given on the border to be implemented, and hopefully there won’t be any obstruction or opposition to the law,” Comer said, suggesting that if the mayors are shielding individuals living in the country illegally, they might be violating the law.
The stakes are high, with significant implications not just for the mayors’ policies but also for the political prospects of Comer and the mayors: Johnson, Eric Adams of New York, Michelle Wu of Boston, and Mike Johnston of Denver. Each of these cities has faced challenges in accommodating an increasing number of migrants arriving from the southern border.
Adams, in particular, stands at a critical juncture, having recently garnered support from the Trump-era Justice Department in his ongoing legal case concerning alleged bribery and fraud. He has also been proactive in meeting with officials about immigration enforcement and is drafting an executive order permitting ICE agents to return to New York’s Rikers Island jail complex.
Despite claims of being beholden to the Trump administration, Adams insists that he prioritizes his constituents' welfare. Observers predict that he will be scrutinized differently from the other mayors due to his cooperation with federal authorities.
“He was one of the first blue city mayors that was representing a sanctuary city that said, ‘wait, we cannot handle anymore. This is a drain on our resources,’” said Comer regarding Adams. “I think that that’s what makes him a good witness.”
Adams plans to strike a careful balance during his testimony, acknowledging the importance of immigrants while advocating for reforms to a "long-broken immigration system." His office has been engaged in rigorous preparations, ensuring he is ready for the various legal and political challenges he may face.
In a contrasting scenario, fellow mayors may find themselves at a political disadvantage. Johnston, who has previously expressed willingness to face legal consequences over his stance against deportation policies, has sought guidance from local politicians and has engaged legal counsel to assist with the upcoming hearing.
Likewise, Johnson's team is advising him to adhere to his core messages, particularly as Republican representatives may compare him unfavorably to Adams. Johnson is collaborating with past mayor Lori Lightfoot and the city’s corporate counsel to strategize responses to sensitive questions.
Wu, the mayor of Boston, is preparing her narrative around the city's declining crime rates and has received counsel from Rep. Stephen Lynch regarding the hearing. She may highlight Boston's achievements, branding it as “the safest major city in the country,” especially following a significant decrease in homicides.
The effectiveness of the mayors' preparations will soon be tested against Comer's expectations, as he and his team have been crafting a dramatic presentation for the hearing. Recently, the Oversight Committee Republicans released a video reminiscent of a movie trailer, highlighting the impending session while hinting at potential federal funding cuts for cities that do not align with federal law.
However, Comer insists that the intent behind the hearing is not merely to create a media spectacle. “First of all, our goal is to get the truth, we believe in transparency,” Comer stated. “My job isn’t entertainment. My job is to get the truth to the American people.”
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
Currently, they are reaching out to various contacts for advice on handling the pressures that led to the resignation of University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill during a congressional hearing addressing antisemitism at prestigious universities.
As congressional Republicans prepare to question the mayors of New York, Chicago, Boston, and Denver about their immigration policies, they will face tough inquiries, particularly about isolated violent crime incidents involving undocumented immigrants.
“I just want to make sure that people understand that [this is] a city that has been established by immigrants and migrants who were formerly enslaved,” stated Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, emphasizing the city's immigrant roots. “It’s the global capital of the world, and we’re going to continue to show up at our very best.”
Chairman James Comer of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is gearing up for the hearing, reflecting on his previous experiences during the university presidents' inquiry. In order to prepare for the politically charged atmosphere, Comer and his colleagues recently consulted Stephen Miller, former Deputy Chief of Staff and architect of aggressive immigration policies during the Trump administration.
“We expect accountability — we expect the mandate that President Trump was given on the border to be implemented, and hopefully there won’t be any obstruction or opposition to the law,” Comer said, suggesting that if the mayors are shielding individuals living in the country illegally, they might be violating the law.
The stakes are high, with significant implications not just for the mayors’ policies but also for the political prospects of Comer and the mayors: Johnson, Eric Adams of New York, Michelle Wu of Boston, and Mike Johnston of Denver. Each of these cities has faced challenges in accommodating an increasing number of migrants arriving from the southern border.
Adams, in particular, stands at a critical juncture, having recently garnered support from the Trump-era Justice Department in his ongoing legal case concerning alleged bribery and fraud. He has also been proactive in meeting with officials about immigration enforcement and is drafting an executive order permitting ICE agents to return to New York’s Rikers Island jail complex.
Despite claims of being beholden to the Trump administration, Adams insists that he prioritizes his constituents' welfare. Observers predict that he will be scrutinized differently from the other mayors due to his cooperation with federal authorities.
“He was one of the first blue city mayors that was representing a sanctuary city that said, ‘wait, we cannot handle anymore. This is a drain on our resources,’” said Comer regarding Adams. “I think that that’s what makes him a good witness.”
Adams plans to strike a careful balance during his testimony, acknowledging the importance of immigrants while advocating for reforms to a "long-broken immigration system." His office has been engaged in rigorous preparations, ensuring he is ready for the various legal and political challenges he may face.
In a contrasting scenario, fellow mayors may find themselves at a political disadvantage. Johnston, who has previously expressed willingness to face legal consequences over his stance against deportation policies, has sought guidance from local politicians and has engaged legal counsel to assist with the upcoming hearing.
Likewise, Johnson's team is advising him to adhere to his core messages, particularly as Republican representatives may compare him unfavorably to Adams. Johnson is collaborating with past mayor Lori Lightfoot and the city’s corporate counsel to strategize responses to sensitive questions.
Wu, the mayor of Boston, is preparing her narrative around the city's declining crime rates and has received counsel from Rep. Stephen Lynch regarding the hearing. She may highlight Boston's achievements, branding it as “the safest major city in the country,” especially following a significant decrease in homicides.
The effectiveness of the mayors' preparations will soon be tested against Comer's expectations, as he and his team have been crafting a dramatic presentation for the hearing. Recently, the Oversight Committee Republicans released a video reminiscent of a movie trailer, highlighting the impending session while hinting at potential federal funding cuts for cities that do not align with federal law.
However, Comer insists that the intent behind the hearing is not merely to create a media spectacle. “First of all, our goal is to get the truth, we believe in transparency,” Comer stated. “My job isn’t entertainment. My job is to get the truth to the American people.”
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
