SESSIONS’ SANCTUARY CITY THREAT IS‘ A BIT OF A JOKE,’ EMANUEL SAYS

Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday questioned the legality of Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ threat to cut or “claw back” Justice Department money to “sanctuary” cities and called it “a bit of a joke” at a time when DOJ funding is being cut.

“I find it a little ironic. They said they were gonna cut or withhold monies on public safety. Did you look at the president’s budget that he introduced? He actually cut the Justice Department. So this is kind of like, in my view, a bit of a joke in that sense,” the mayor said at an unrelated news conference about street lighting.

The mayor noted that 34 other cities have “stood up” with Chicago in opposition to President Donald Trump’s threat.

“We’re very clear about our values and very clear about our priorities. And if you looked at any of the cases, you would also see that we think we have a strong argument that they can’t do what they’re claiming they’re gonna do,” Emanuel said.

The mayor advised reporters to talk to newly appointed Corporation Counsel Ed Siskel, who served as deputy White House counsel during the Obama administration. That’s apparently where the mayor is getting his view that Trump is on shaky legal ground.

Siskel branded Trump’s executive order an “unconstitutional attempt to force municipal police departments to aid in the enforcement of federal immigration law.”

“Despite professing concern for local law enforcement efforts, especially in Chicago, the order threatens to deny federal funding to local governments that refuse to be conscripted as auxiliary ICE agents,” Siskel was quoted in an emailed statement.

“While Chicago is in full compliance with the requirements of federal immigration law, we oppose the order’s intent,” he wrote. “Chicago is proud to stand with 34 cities and counties across the country in asking a federal court to prevent the federal government from illegally withholding federal funds.”

For the umpteenth time, Emanuel reiterated that Chicago “has been and will continue to be” a sanctuary city where immigrants can access city services and live without fear of police harassment.

Only this time, he used the term “welcoming city” to describe Chicago’s status.

“Chicago has been and will be a welcoming city because people that come to Chicago — make the sacrifice, the struggle, the journey— are believing in a better tomorrow, and they’re part of keeping the American dream alive. Just like my grandfather 100 years ago and my father 70 years ago,” the mayor said.