By Ahnaf Kalam | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
In the wake of the recent electoral landslide — a decisive repudiation of unchecked illegal immigration and the catastrophic security failures at America’s borders — one might have expected local leaders to reconsider their stances on sanctuary city policies.
Yet, in Denver, Mayor Mike Johnston has chosen defiance over reason, doubling down on policies that disregard the will of his constituents and the authority of the federal government. His response to President-elect Trump’s nomination of Tom Homan as “border czar” is nothing short of insurrectionary.
Mayor Johnston took to social media to unveil a bold, but deeply troubling plan to block any federal efforts to deport illegal immigrants in Denver. He went so far as to claim that, if federal agents attempted to enforce immigration laws, not only would local authorities intervene, but 50,000 Denverites would also rise in opposition. Such rhetoric not only signals a direct challenge to the rule of law but also exposes an astonishing disregard for the legitimate concerns of Denver’s citizens.
Denver is bearing an outsized burden from illegal immigration. The city has accepted more illegal immigrants per capita than any other major U.S. city, straining public resources to the absolute breaking point. Internal law enforcement documents have revealed that violent criminal organizations such as the violent Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua have made Denver their headquarters, emboldened by its sanctuary city policies that effectively shield them from law enforcement. These gangs, known for their involvement in human trafficking and violent crime, have seized control of entire apartment complexes across the Denver-metro area and terrorized the communities therein.
The people of Denver are not blind to these realities. They are, however, fed up with policies that prioritize the interests of non-citizens over their safety and well-being. And yet, Mayor Johnston insists on an ideological crusade, portraying himself as a moral savior against a supposedly tyrannical federal government. In truth, his actions amount to a blatant power grab.
Johnston and his ideological allies have spent years railing against what they call the authoritarian tendencies of their political opponents. They routinely invoke the specter of “insurrection” whenever conservatives so much as question the status quo. Yet here we have a sitting mayor not only flouting federal authority but also openly declaring that his city will obstruct law enforcement and shield those who have no legal right to remain in the country.
It is worth considering the precedent Johnston seeks to establish. In what democratic system can a mayor unilaterally decide which federal laws to enforce? What kind of governance allows a local leader to mobilize public employees and, apparently, tens of thousands of private citizens to resist lawful federal action? Johnston’s hubris is not just undemocratic—it is deadly for a city like Denver.
Moreover, his assumption that Denver’s law enforcement officers will comply with such orders is delusional. These officers have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution and protect the American people. To suggest that they would act against both the will of their constituents and the federal government to protect illegal immigrants—including those linked to violent criminal organizations—is an insult to their profession and their sense of duty.
Mayor Johnston’s posturing is not just an affront to the rule of law—it is a betrayal of the people he was elected to serve. The citizens of Denver deserve leaders who prioritize their safety, uphold the Constitution, and respect the outcomes of democratic elections. Instead, they are saddled with a mayor who seems more interested in virtue signaling and political theater than in addressing the real and pressing challenges facing his city.
The hypocrisy of Johnston’s posturing is evidently lost on him. His accusations of authoritarianism ring hollow when he himself behaves like a dictator, attempting to wield the power of the city as though it were his personal fiefdom. His resistance to federal immigration enforcement is not a principled stand—it is a reckless gamble, and one that completely ignores the safety and security of Denver’s residents.
It is time for Mayor Johnston to abandon this charade. The people have spoken, and they demand secure borders, law and order, and leaders who will put their interests first. Johnston’s rebellion against these principles will not stand the test of time—or scrutiny.
Ahnaf Kalam is the digital media specialist and podcast producer at the Middle East Forum, where he has been a writer and researcher since 2017. He writes regularly on issues of national security, counter-extremism, and foreign policy. His work has appeared in The American Spectator, The Gazette, Rocky Mountain Voice, The Daily Caller, and other publications. He holds a B.A. in political science and international studies from the University of Colorado, Denver.