As the immigration debate heats up in Washington, the Trump administration is reinforcing the rule of law. The Department of Justice sent a letter to 23 sanctuary jurisdictions in 11 states threatening to issue subpoenas and cut off federal grants unless they proved they were cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

In a statement announcing the action, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said:

“I continue to urge all jurisdictions under review to reconsider policies that place the safety of their communities and their residents at risk. Protecting criminal aliens from federal immigration authorities defies common sense and undermines the rule of law.”

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is in Washington this week for its annual winter meeting. President Trump hosted an event at the White House Wednesday for roughly 100 of the nation’s mayors and pitched his plan for a massive infrastructure program to rebuild America’s cities.

Predictably, several left-wing big city mayors, including Bill de Blasio of New York City, Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans, Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles and Rahm Emanuel of Chicago, boycotted the meeting. 

To them it was more important to be seen opposing Trump and defending illegal immigrants than it was to talk to the president about improving their cities. As NBC News noted, “Several cities have become both centers of resistance to Republican rule and proving grounds for progressives.”

President Trump did not hesitate to call them out during his remarks at the White House. The president said:

“We’ll start by saying that, as you know, the Department of Justice, today, has announced a critical legal step to hold accountable sanctuary cities that violate federal law and free criminal aliens back into our communities. We can’t have that…

"Sanctuary cities are the best friend of gangs and cartels, like MS-13. You know that… Take a look at what happened in San Francisco [to] Kate Steinle, and countless others.

"My administration is committed to protecting innocent Americans and the mayors who choose to boycott this event have put the needs of criminal illegal immigrants over law-abiding Americans.”

Good for him!

The American people overwhelmingly side with Attorney General Sessions and President Trump when it comes to sanctuary cities. Last year a poll by Harvard University found that 80% of voters opposed sanctuary city policies.

Defending Religious Freedom

Late Wednesday afternoon, the Senate confirmed Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback to be the Trump administration’s ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. It will be Brownback’s job to promote religious freedom around the world, on behalf of the Trump administration, and to combat religious persecution.

I know Sam Brownback well, and I know he will be a staunch advocate for religious freedom and rights of conscience. I applaud President Trump for nominating Brownback and I applaud the Senate for confirming him. 

His position desperately needed to be filled. Earlier this week, I read disturbing reports that more than 80 Nigerian Christians have been murdered this month by radical Islamists. Not surprisingly, new reports tell us that eight of the 10 worst offenders of religious liberty are Islamic nations.

Unfortunately, Brownback’s confirmation almost didn’t happen. Vice President Mike Pence had to be on hand to cast the tie-breaking vote in Brownback’s favor.

Every single Senate Democrat voted against Brownback. With Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and John McCain (R-AZ) absent, that left the Senate tied 49 to 49. 

Religious freedom is a fundamental American value. Our founders enshrined religious liberty in the First Amendment to the Constitution. Defending religious freedom and fighting Christian persecution overseas is tremendously important to millions of American voters. 

Yet apparently it isn’t much of a priority for Senate progressives. It is beyond shameful that 49 Democrats could not vote for Sam Brownback, a former colleague to many and a man of deep and abiding faith. These senators have a lot to explain to their constituents. 

And I hope men and women of faith in states like Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, and West Virginia (states President Trump won big) will remember that when their Democrat senators are on the ballot this November.

Richards Steps Down

Cecile Richards, CEO of Planned Parenthood, is stepping down after 12 years at the helm of America’s largest abortion business. And make no mistake about it — Planned Parenthood is a business.

According to its latest financial report, Planned Parenthood’s revenue exceeds $1.4 billion. More than $540 million of that came from U.S. taxpayers. Last year alone, Planned Parenthood performed more than 321,000 abortions. That means more than 3.5 million innocent babies were destroyed under Richards’ leadership.

By the way, as Planned Parenthood came under increasing scrutiny, several states cut funding to the abortion giant. As a result, dozens of Planned Parenthood clinics have shutdown. But Richards expanded Planned Parenthood’s business model to include transgender services and trafficking in baby body parts.

The Justice Department is taking a serious look into that last “business venture” after Congress made several criminal referrals. Maybe that’s why Richards is leaving.

She’s reportedly writing her memoirs, due for release in a few months. But some speculate she may be planning a run for political office. Richards has always been politically active. 

She is the daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards. She once served as Nancy Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff, and she was a key surrogate for Hillary Clinton during last year’s presidential campaign. (She also bears a striking resemblance to infamous and fictional First Lady Claire Underwood.)