One of Mr. Trump's most vivid campaign promises was this:
Sept. 1, 2016, Phoenix, AZ
TRUMP: “We will end the sanctuary cities that have resulted in so many needless deaths. Cities that refuse to cooperate with federal authorities will not receive taxpayer dollars.”
Doesn't get more pointed than that.
But now a number of mayors across the country are defying the president-elect, saying they will not stop their sanctuary policies.
CHICAGO MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL (D): “To be clear about what Chicago is, it always will be a sanctuary city.”
(EDIT)
NYC MAYOR BILL DIBLASIO (D): “We’re not going to sacrifice a half million people who live among us who are part of our community. (EDIT) We’re not going to tear families apart.”
(EDIT)
SEATTLE MAYOR ED MURRAY (D): “I think by continuing to be a sanctuary city, we’re doing the most American thing we can possibly do.”
So let's analyze what is really happening here.
By refusing to obey federal immigration law the politicians are basically saying we want open borders.
Because anyone who gets into America illegally has a place where they can go with no repercussions.
While most migrants are law-abiding people who just want to support themselves and their families, a number of them are criminals or layabouts simply here to exploit the USA.
Those people become part of the sanctuary.
You will remember that the thug who allegedly murdered Kate Steinle was released by the county of San Francisco after ICE requested that he be held in jail so the feds could pick him up.
San Francisco let the man go despite that fact, that he had seven felony convictions in America and had been deported five times.
Kate Steinle is dead because San Francisco refuses to obey federal law.
There is a civil lawsuit underway in the case and the criminal proceeding is crawling along as well.
Now you would think any decent politician would learn a lesson from the Steinle case.
But no, these mayors -- all uber-liberals -- believe they will harvest more votes by showing phony compassion than by promoting public safety and fighting anarchy.
If the left believes everybody should be allowed into this country, say that. But know that sanctuary policies will never be able to tell the good from the bad and chaos will continue to rule.
So it comes down to what Donald Trump will do to the mayors and counties that defy him on immigration law.
He has to do something and we expect the showdown will develop quickly next year.
And that's the memo.
