Rep. Evans will join House Oversight Committee questioning Denver mayor on sanctuary policies

By / / Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice

When Mike Johnston arrives in March to offer his testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Denver mayor might recognize a member of the panel questioning him.

U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, a Weld County resident, has been authorized, presumably by Chairman James Comer, to waive onto the committee to question Johnston, and potentially the mayors of Boston, Chicago and New York City.

Rep. Comer, in his capacity as chairman of the committee, announced Wednesday that Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and New York City Mayor Eric Adams would join Johnston on the March 5 panel investigating the policies of sanctuary cities and their impact on public safety and federal immigration enforcement. He has asked the mayors to share documents and communications related to their cities’ sanctuary policies.

“Sanctuary mayors owe the American people an explanation for city policies that jeopardize public safety and violate federal immigration law by releasing dangerous criminal illegal aliens back onto the streets,” Comer said in a press release. “These reckless policies in Democrat-run cities and states across our nation have led to too many preventable tragedies. They also endanger ICE agents who are forced to take more difficult enforcement actions in jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.”

The presence of Evans at the committee hearing offers a rare perspective among members of the U.S. House. Evans previously served 12 years in the U.S. Army, including a combat deployment during Operation Enduring Freedom, ultimately advancing to the rank of captain. He then served for 11 years in the Arvada Police Department, advancing to the rank of lieutenant, before seeking election to Colorado House District 48. Additionally, he is the grandson of Mexican immigrants.

In response to a Twitter/X posting noting Johnston would testify related to “new immigrants”, Evans announced he also would be in the hearing.

“The days of Colorado Democrats getting a pass on their dangerous sanctuary state policies are over,” Evans said.

In response to Evans, state Rep. Brandi Bradley said “I’m going to host a party!” and several others suggested questions Evans could ask Johnston. Do Better Denver asked Evans to question Johnson about his attempts to conceal Tren de Aragua gang activity and the expense to taxpayers for hotel rooms occupied by illegal aliens. Another commenter, a business CEO, simply responded, “Hell Yeah. I will be watching with Popcorn.”

Much of what Coloradans would wish for Evans to ask won’t likely be accomplished. It is typical of a committee to offer five minutes to each member of Congress, including answers from the panel, and occasionally a second five-minute round. It is possible Republicans on the panel might yield the balance of their time to a retired police officer, providing more opportunity for Evans.

“The policies in Boston, Chicago, Denver and New York City prioritize criminal illegal aliens over the American people,” Comer further said in his press release. “This is unacceptable and their leaders must be held accountable. We will press these mayors for answers and examine measures to enforce compliance with federal immigration law.”

Additionally, Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert is a member of the committee. There are 43 members of the committee.

In a Jan. 31 post on Twitter/X, Evans wrote that he was elected to “restore safe and affordable communities in Colorado’s 8th District.”

He’s also engaged in the struggle to eradicate fentanyl — a drug widely believed to be imported to America by illegal aliens — from Colorado communities, noting in a Jan. 30 post on Twitter/X that since 2020 illegal drugs have claimed twice the lives in Colorado as did the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

In a Jan. 26 response to the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Region, Evans said, “strong law enforcement makes for safe communities.”

In a Jan. 24 press release from Evans office, the congressman led on asking Gov. Jared Polis of his intentions on the state’s immigration issue.