Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich made a provocative comparison between Denver’s Democratic Mayor Mike Johnston and a Civil War-era Confederate insurrectionist due to Johnston’s stance on illegal immigration. Gingrich criticized Johnston’s defense of illegal migrants, suggesting that the issue of defying federal law was settled after General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox in 1865.
According to Gingrich, the mayor’s actions in supporting illegal immigrants and attempting to block federal immigration enforcement were tantamount to acts of insurrection, drawing a direct parallel to the Confederacy’s efforts to rebel against federal authority.
Gingrich emphasized that the question of whether local governments can defy federal authority was conclusively settled by the Civil War. In his view, any attempt by local leaders, such as Mayor Johnston, to obstruct federal immigration enforcement, like deportations, would be met with a strong response from the federal government.
Gingrich’s warning suggested that such resistance would not be tolerated, drawing from the historical precedent where the Confederacy’s insurrection was crushed by the U.S. Army.
The controversy stems from Johnston’s vocal opposition to federal immigration enforcement. In the wake of the 2024 election, Johnston expressed his commitment to defending the Biden administration’s border policies and even suggested that he would use Denver’s police force to obstruct ICE operations.
Gingrich Compares Denver Mayor’s Immigration Stance to Confederate Insurrection in Critique of Sanctuary Policies
Initially, Johnston threatened to block federal deportation efforts, later walking back those comments, but reaffirming his stance and indicating he was willing to face arrest to prevent ICE from carrying out its duties.
Tom Homan, a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official under President Trump, sharply criticized Johnston’s stance, asserting that the mayor’s actions were unlawful. Homan pointed to a specific federal statute, Title 8, U.S. Code 1324, which makes it a felony to harbor or conceal illegal aliens or impede federal officers in their duties.
Homan expressed a willingness to arrest anyone, including Johnston, who attempted to interfere with ICE operations, stressing the importance of enforcing federal law to safeguard national security and public safety.
John Sandweg, a former acting ICE Director under President Obama, also weighed in, agreeing that some sanctuary city policies have gone too far in undermining federal law.
Sandweg acknowledged the valid concerns about the chilling effect these policies can have on immigrant communities, but he criticized the extremes some sanctuary cities have taken, particularly in cases where dangerous criminals, including convicted murderers, were shielded from ICE. He argued that such policies ultimately harm public safety by allowing criminals to remain at large, undermining efforts to protect communities.
