Future of sanctuary cities in doubt as Trump prepares to take office

A pillar of President-elect Donald Trump's successful 2024 campaign was a pledge to initiate mass deportations upon entering office.

Despite criticisms from some doubting the sheer feasibility of such an initiative, given the sanctuary city policies in place in locations across the country, supporters of the president, including Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), believe that such enclaves will soon be “history,” as Fox News reports.

Norman expresses confidence

During an interview with Jon Scott on Fox News' Fox Report, Norman signaled his optimism about Trump's plans to bring illegal immigration – and the problems it has brought – under control once and for all.

Norman conveyed his belief that Trump's ambitious deportation plans are in line with what the electorate wanted when they went to the polls in November.

“The reason they voted like they did...they know what he'll do,” Norman declared.

Referencing the president-elect's selection of Tom Homan as border czar, someone who has already hit the ground running in terms of preparing to implement Trump's wishes, Norman said, “I know him personally...he doesn't play, he understands, he's the right man at the right time.”

Speaking of the broader administration Trump is in the process of building, the congressman said, “he's putting people in place that can get the job done.”

Countering the resistance

Despite the obvious determination among members of the incoming administration to bring Trump's vision to fruition, leaders of sanctuary jurisdictions have promised to resist any attempts to conduct mass deportations, as Newsweek noted.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston was particularly outspoken about his intentions, saying that he was ready and willing to use local police to stop federal immigration officers from initiating deportation processes.

Though he later tempered those comments, Johnston did say he had no problem going to jail in an effort to thwart Trump

Not surprisingly, those remarks did not sit well with Homan, who told Sean Hannity, “But look, me and the Denver mayor, we agree on one thing. He's willing to go to jail. I'm willing to put him in jail,” as The Hill reported.

With regard to any sanctuary city attempting to stand in the way of the administration's efforts to enforce the law, Homan said, reflecting Norman's aforementioned take, “We are going to do the job. President Trump has a mandate for the American people. We've got to secure this country, and we have to save American lives.”