The Justice Department harshly criticized Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney for his response to a federal judge’s ruling that the Trump administration cannot withhold funds from the city over its “sanctuary city” policies.
Kenney was seen celebrating the ruling, handed out by Judge Michael Baylson Wednesday, in a video posted to Facebook by NBC.
“Yesterday, the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia danced in jubilation over a court ruling that will allow him to continue to protect known and suspected criminal aliens in the City’s custody,” DOJ spokesman Devin O’Malley said in a Thursday statement. “These are individuals who have victimized the residents of the City he has sworn to protect.”
O’Malley further highlighted a “violent criminal alien who was arrested in Philadelphia last year for forcing his girlfriend into a hot oven but was never turned over to immigration authorities.”
“The video is a sad and disturbing reminder that politicians like Mayor Kenney prioritize political gain over the law-abiding residents of their own cities and the safety of the law enforcement officers that try to protect them,” he continued. “The Department of Justice will continue to fight for the rule of law, and for the law-abiding citizens of Philadelphia who fear victimization and reject the notion of protecting criminals.”
The White House also criticized Kenney’s response.
“Many people in Philadelphia have been killed, raped or assaulted at the hands of criminal illegal aliens,” White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley said on Fox News Thursday. “It’s disgusting the mayor would dance in celebration of a lawless decision that allows these dangerous criminal.”
