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The remarks, invoking images of armed resistance, quickly sparked outrage. Critics argued that such rhetoric was inflammatory and irresponsible, especially from a public official.
In an interview with Denver’s Channel 9, Johnston appeared to walk back his statements but maintained his commitment to protecting Denver’s immigrant population.
“Would I have taken it back if I could? Yes, I probably wouldn’t have used that image,” Johnston admitted. He clarified, “That’s the image I hope we can avoid. What I was trying to say is this is an outcome I hope we can avoid in this country. I think none of us want that.”
Despite the softened tone, Johnston doubled down on his readiness to face legal consequences if mass deportations were enforced.
“I would if I believed that our residents are having their rights violated,” Johnston said, emphasizing his belief that deportations are “un-American,” despite polling data showing broad public support for stricter immigration policies.
Republican Senator Rand Paul wasted no time in criticizing Johnston’s comments, calling them a blatant challenge to federal authority. During an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation, Paul argued that Johnston’s stance could result in serious legal consequences, including removal from office and even prosecution.
“Now, I would say that the mayor of Denver, if he’s going to resist federal law, which there’s a longstanding history of the supremacy of federal law, he’s going to resist that it will go all the way to the Supreme Court. And I would suspect that he would be removed from office,” Paul stated. He added, “I don’t know whether or not there’d be a criminal prosecution for someone resisting federal law, but he will lose.”
Paul didn’t mince words in comparing Johnston’s actions to insurrection. “And people need to realize that what he is offering is a form of insurrection, where the states resist the federal government. Most people objected to that and rejected that long ago. So I think the mayor of Denver is on the wrong side of history, and really, I think will face legal ramifications if he doesn’t obey the federal law,” Paul concluded.
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As Trump promises to enforce federal immigration law with renewed vigor, Democratic leaders like Johnston are digging in their heels. The standoff between federal authority and local resistance is shaping up to be a defining battle of Trump’s second-term vision. For Johnston, the stakes couldn’t be higher, as legal and political pressures mount in the wake of his controversial remarks. Meanwhile, Rand Paul and other Republicans remain resolute, warning of dire consequences for those who defy federal mandates.
The question remains: How far will both sides go, and what will this clash mean for the future of immigration enforcement in America?
