Trump's 100 Days: New Haven 'Keeps Its Foot On The Gas Of Resistance'

NEW HAVEN, CT — Mayor Justin Elicker and myriad other public officials and community groups and agencies spoke Wednesday on President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, the impact of the new federal administration’s actions on New Haven.

Elicker said he's "proud" of how the city is responding. "New Haven is standing up for our values and fighting back," he said. "...we will continue to keep our foot on the gas of resistance for the next 1,361 days to come."

Among the ways New Haven has begun to "fight back," was the city joining a lawsuit led by San Francisco and Santa Clara County, that challenged Trump's plan to "unlawfully withhold federal funds from New Haven and other sanctuary cities and counties unless local governments assist the federal government with its immigration enforcement responsibilities."

Last week, a Preliminary Injunction Order was issued by a U.S. District judge that protects sanctuary or "welcoming" cities from being extorted. Read that story here.

Elicker said that the city could lose $27 million in grants already earmarked for health and climate programs among others.

Threats that include withholding federal funding from localities—including critical funds that support local efforts to serve vulnerable residents, promote public safety, and prepare for emergencies—unless they assist with implementation of the Trump Administration’s "aggressive immigration enforcement agenda."

"We're here to talk about the reality on the ground," Elicker said. "It's been 100 days of chaos. 100 days of destructive actions that are harming residents, the community, our economy, our security, our standing in the world and democracy."

Elicker spoke about how the city is responding. See the full presentation here.