Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner (Credit: Matt Rourke, Associated Press)
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner highlighted a spirited press conference at City Hall Friday with state and local leaders standing up against the Trump administration's plans for a crackdown on illegal immigration.
"Local law enforcement can volunteer to do Nazi stuff," Krasner told reporters Friday. "I'm sure I stand with all my colleagues up here when we say nope, N-O-P-E, nope. Maybe there are some local law enforcement who want to put on jackboots and gray uniforms and march behind this, but not us."
Krasner was joined by local state representatives and city council members - all Democrats - in singularly condemning President Trump and his immigration policies.
This came one day after council passed a resolution at its weekly meeting basically doing the same - condemning the President for his orders. Only Councilman Brian O'Neil, the lone Republican on City Council, voted against that resolution.
Activity by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) has begun ramping up in major cities across the country. A car wash in North Philadelphia was raided earlier this week, arresting seven migrants.
While others spoke at the press conference, Krasner was the featured performer. Always an adversary to President Trump, Krasner is now gearing up to run for re-election next fall.
Krasner will likely seek a third term in the position. Former Philadelphia judge Patrick Dugan announced he would challenge Krasner earlier this month.
While Krasner said the city wouldn't get in the way of ICE operating within the law as outlined in the U.S. Constitution, he also added that he will prosecute ICE officers for overstepping those boundaries.
He then sent a message to those agents, linking them to a racist organization.
https://t.co/XRawnqNPLg via @nbcphiladelphia
"Any ICE agent, any Proud Boy who thinks hate crimes are cool, who thinks "I can get away with anything because there's a king in D.C. - no you can't," he said.
Krasner's latest act of vindictiveness toward the Trump administration stems from a Justice Department memo that was issued earlier in the week by acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove.
"Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing, and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands or requests," the memo stated.
This suggested that local officials could be prosecuted for failing to share information with immigration authorities or for knowingly and willingly harboring illegal immigrants.
