When it comes to arresting American citizens for peacefully protesting on Capitol Hill, leftists are quick to position themselves to the right of even the toughest-talking pro-cop conservatives.
I love the video inside the congressional chamber.
They stood silent in prayer.
Those violent insurrectionists!! 🤣😂— SFStevie (@StevePaul99) December 23, 2024
For those countless individuals who illegally crossed into the U.S. and went on to commit additional crimes while living in this country, however, there’s no similar appetite for enforcing the law.
That axiom of modern American politics was on display during a recent city council meeting in Fort Myers, Florida, as Fox News reported:
The Florida city council met to discuss the agreement for city law enforcement to receive the training and authority to act as ICE agents to detain and arrest illegal immigrants, among other functions.
During the meeting, council members Darla Bonk and Diana Giraldo teared up as they voiced their opposition to the agreement.
Bonk’s voice broke as she described the risk of losing state and federal funds if she refused to agree.
“It is a tumultuous day and age. And this is a day I hate to be in this seat,” Bonk said. “But my city is not for sale.”
The tearful display and subsequent vote on the matter was widely criticized as video clips spread on social media:
Well, now it’s up to the citizens of Fort Meyers City to vote sitting council members Darla Bonk of ward 6, Diana Giraldo of ward 2 & Terolyn Watson of ward 3 out of office. @POTUS @realDonaldTrump is working hard to end government corruption so we need to do our part & vote. pic.twitter.com/Qa9RHeZ3zI
— Jon Gil (@1TrueNewYorker) March 19, 2025
We need a “re-vote” here in Lee County, @GovRonDeSantis . Our city council in Fort Myers had a “cry in” instead of upholding their obligations to serve the CITIZENS of Fort Myers. #FortMyers pic.twitter.com/vr246eTIxx
— Cill Chainnigh (@KilkennyTek) March 19, 2025
The Fort Myers City Council has a responsibility to IMPLEMENT state & federal law, not to DEFY it.
In 2020, I fought them over their illegal mask mandate.
Last night, members voted to prevent @ICEgov from working with FMPD, this is dereliction of duty, & they should be REMOVED. pic.twitter.com/E625P0hYDV
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) March 18, 2025
James Uthmeier, the state’s attorney general responded to the meeting with a statement of his own, as the Florida Phoenix reported:
After hours of public testimony and debate, the city council of the Southwest Florida city voted a 3-3 deadlock Monday, stopping city police from entering into an agreement with the federal government to cooperate in immigration enforcement efforts.
ADVERTISEMENTOver the past month, all 67 Florida sheriffs and at least 40 municipalities have entered into the 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, far exceeding the number of agreements from any other state.
“Failure to correct the Council’s actions will result in the enforcement of all applicable civil and criminal penalties, including but not limited to being held in contempt, declaratory or injunctive relief, and removal from office by the Governor,” Uthmeier wrote in the letter he sent to the council Tuesday.
Recent state laws require local entities to participate in immigration enforcement, DeSantis wrote in a post on X Tuesday, after Uthmeier posted on the social media platform that his office would investigate the council members’ actions.
Here’s some additional coverage of the council meeting:
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!