Republican Mayors Rally Against Trump’s Immigration Tactics
A coalition of Republican mayors is taking a stand against the Trump administration’s stringent immigration enforcement measures in Minnesota, expressing concern that their own cities could soon face similar actions. Their collective voice adds a surprising twist to the GOP narrative, showcasing cracks in the party’s support for the administration’s hardline policies.
“It’s roiling the country,” declared Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt in an interview with POLITICO. “We’re all feeling the anxiety of our residents, fearing that our city might be next and that chaos could spread across the nation.” It seems that the anxiety isn’t just confined to the border but is creeping into the heart of America, where local leaders are beginning to feel the heat.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer echoed this sentiment, stating that “too much damage has been done” due to the current crackdown, leading to a breakdown of trust within communities. It’s a stark reminder that policies designed to enforce order can sometimes sow discord instead.
Likewise, Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz warned that the tactics employed by federal agents have rendered “our cities no longer safe.” Such statements from these moderate Republicans signal a growing unease within the party regarding the administration’s immigration strategy, especially following the tragic shootings of two Minnesotans by federal agents.
These comments emerged during the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors, held just a stone’s throw from the White House, where Holt chairs the conference. The Republican mayors, while supportive of the president’s broader immigration goals, are increasingly vocal about their discontent with the implementation of these policies.
The escalating enforcement actions have cast a long shadow over the conference, dominating discussions as mayors scramble to prepare their cities for potential ICE sweeps and address the fears of their constituents. Dyer, a former police chief with four decades of law enforcement experience, stressed the need for federal agents to receive de-escalation training. “Federal agencies should only operate in communities where they have the support of local leaders,” he asserted, emphasizing that going against the will of local governments is a recipe for disaster.
Dyer also called upon fellow Republicans to voice their concerns regarding the recent tactics employed by federal immigration agents. “The Republican Party cannot simply endorse every action taken by this administration,” he warned. “Too many are ignoring issues that deserve attention.”
Interestingly, the concerns are not limited to urban areas; Kautz, representing a suburban population of 64,000, pointed out that she now carries her passport in public—a somewhat absurd precaution in the land of the free. She advocated for ICE to utilize judicial warrants, insisting that while the removal of violent criminals is crucial, it must be conducted “through proper channels, rooted in the Constitution.” Unfortunately, her experience suggests that such adherence to the rule of law is not currently being upheld.
A POLITICO poll reveals that more than one in three Trump voters support the objectives of his immigration agenda but disapprove of the manner in which it is being executed. This disconnect highlights a potential political minefield for the GOP, as constituents grow wary of the consequences of aggressive enforcement tactics.
Holt, who governs one of the most conservative large cities in the U.S., previously endorsed Kamala Harris over Trump in 2024, pointed out that while Trump’s border policies may enjoy broad support, the strategies employed within the U.S. appear to be failing. “The president can feel that his border policies are largely supported, but what he’s doing inside the border seems to not be working,” Holt concluded, leaving us to ponder the irony of a party grappling with its own identity amid a crisis of its making.
