President Trump called for an investigation of the wrong mayor Friday, suggesting that San Diego’s mayor be probed for tipping off suspected illegal immigrants about a looming raid — a warning actually issued by Oakland’s mayor.
The context of Trump’s Friday afternoon remarks made clear that he was denouncing Libby Schaaf, the Democratic mayor of Oakland, rather than San Diego’s Republican Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
“Where is the condemnation of the sanctuary cities that release violent criminals into our communities and then protect them?” Trump said during an event highlighting crimes committed by illegal immigrants. “Like the mayor of San Diego when she warned everybody that ICE is coming and they scattered? A big operation. A very expensive operation. They were all together. They all scattered.”
He added: “And what are they going to do about looking at her, by the way? I’ve been asking this question now for four weeks. She can do that?”
Trump has repeatedly denounced Schaaf’s actions. On May 16, he publicly requested that Attorney General Jeff Sessions investigate her for obstruction of justice.
“I would recommend that you look into obstruction of justice for the mayor of Oakland, Calif., Jeff,” Trump told Sessions. “Perhaps the Department of Justice can look into that, with respect to the mayor, because it’s a big deal out there.”
Schaaf has defended her Feb. 24 warning as “both legal and moral,” but the Justice Department previously indicated it is reviewing the matter.
Schaaf said in her warning that “multiple credible sources” said ICE was “preparing to conduct an operation in the Bay Area, including Oakland, starting as soon as within the next 24 hours.”
Authorities performed 232 arrests in the Bay Area sweep, yet hundreds of illegal immigrants avoided arrest. The precise number that avoided capture due to Schaaf’s warning is unclear. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director Thomas Homan claimed 800 arrest evasions were potentially tied to the warning.
