Chicago mayor visits D.C., considers order to prosecute federal agents

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he is considering an executive order that would allow for prosecution of federal agents who engage in criminal acts.

The mayor traveled to Washington, D.C. for the U.S. Conference of Mayors and addressed the National Press Club on Wednesday afternoon.

Johnson said state and local governments need to stand up to the Trump administration and federal immigration law enforcement agents who engage in criminal misconduct.

“I’m already looking at another executive order that will not just investigate but really hold people accountable and create a pathway for prosecution,” Johnson said.

President Donald Trump visited Iowa on Tuesday and said a recent Harvard CAPS/Harris poll in December showed that 80% of Americans support his administration’s deportation policies.

“In other words, 80%, that’s more like it, of the people support our operation to remove really dangerous, bad people out of our country,” Trump said.

During his presentation on Wednesday, Johnson described executive orders he has issued and other measures he has taken against the federal government.

“We have filed more than 40 legal actions against the Trump administration, likely the most of any city in America,” the mayor said.

Johnson was asked what deal he would try to cut and what red line he would set if he had five minutes with the president.

“In order to have safe communities, the one thing I would talk about right away is challenging him to convince his friends, who he just gave a tax break to, for them to pay their fair share in taxes,” Johnson said.

The mayor said Trump has targeted the most vulnerable people in society.

“Someone with that level of power should use it to benefit the least of these,” Johnson said.

As the discussion wrapped up, Johnson looked into the camera.

“President Trump, I expect your call any minute now,” the mayor said.

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