A debate over immigration enforcement has erupted between Tom Homan, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to oversee border security, and Denver Mayor Michael Johnston after the mayor suggested blocking federal deportation efforts.
In a recent Fox News interview, Homan, who will begin overseeing border security in January, responded to the mayor’s comments, which indicated that Denver Police could be used to prevent deportations under Trump’s administration. Homan did not hold back, saying, “It is a felony if you knowingly harbour and conceal individuals from immigration authorities. We’re going to do our job. President Trump has a mandate from the people—we’ve got to secure this country; we’ve got to save America.”
Homan further expressed disbelief, stating that it is shocking for a mayor to suggest such a thing. He also added, “The mayor’s willing to go to jail, and I’m willing to put him there.”
In response, tech billionaire Elon Musk took to social media platform X, posting, “Judge Dredd is coming to town.” The reference to the fictional character, known for acting as judge, jury, and executioner, seemed to highlight the hardline stance that Homan is taking regarding local authorities defying federal deportation orders.

Homan’s approach to deportation is strict, particularly towards illegal immigrants. He believes that, due to the large number of individuals ordered for removal, the country needs a “mass deportation operation.”
“If you don’t want to fix this, if you don’t want to protect this community, President Trump and ICE will,” Homan said, regarding the mayor’s comments.
Although the Mayor later seemed to backtrack on his comments, the exchange has sparked a heated debate on social media and among political commentators about the balance of power between local and federal authorities on immigration enforcement.