Rahm Emanuel, Elizabeth Warren applaud judge’s decision to block Jeff Sessions’ sanctuary cities rule

“Progress is never easy, but it is always worth fighting for. In Chicago we will always fight for our values and the rights of our residents,” Emanuel said in a statement. “Today’s ruling means essential resources for public safety in Chicago and across the country cannot come with unlawful strings attached from the Trump Justice Department. This is not just a victory for the City of Chicago, but a win for cities, counties and states across America.”

U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber ruled against Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ attempt to withhold Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants from Chicago and other so-called sanctuary cities in the nation.

Leinenweber said in his ruling, “The court finds that the city has established that it would suffer irreparable harm if a preliminary injunction is not entered.” He said the injunction is “nationwide in scope” because there is “reason to think that the legal issues present in this case are restricted to Chicago.”

Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., celebrated the news.

“This is good news. At least for now, @realDonaldTrump & AG Sessions can’t bludgeon towns into complying with dumb & dangerous ICE policies,” the senator from Massachusetts tweeted Friday.

Former interim chair of the Democratic National Committee Donna Brazile tweeted the hashtag “#Justice” after the judge ruled in favor of the city of Chicago.

The city of Chicago had asked the judge for a nationwide temporary injunction this week against the Justice Department’s threat to withhold the federal grant money.

The ruling Friday is a blow to the Trump administration. In August, Sessions argued that Chicago should have a tougher immigration policy as it deals with a high crime rate.

“No amount of federal taxpayer dollars will help a city that refuses to help its own residents,” Sessions said in a statement. “[…] To a degree perhaps unsurpassed by any other jurisdiction, the political leadership of Chicago has chosen deliberatively and intentionally to adopt a policy that obstructs this country’s lawful immigration system.”

Chicago’s Corporation Counsel Ed Siskel said, “We are very pleased that the judge agreed that the Department of Justice does not have the authority to add requirements to a grant program that was created by Congress and has operated for many years under the established conditions.” He added: “This ruling makes clear that the Attorney General does not have the authority to unilaterally impose new requirements without approval from Congress.”

Chicago would have lost $2.2 million in grant money for the next fiscal year if it didn’t comply with the Justice Department’s rules.