PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia City Council came out swinging at President Donald Trump in its second meeting of the new year, passing a resolution condemning his Cabinet picks, the now-rescinded federal aid freeze, and recent ICE raids.
Sponsor Rue Landau said she wanted to call attention to the potential risks of appointing people to lead departments they’ve threatened to unravel.
“His senior leadership picks are going to dismantle the very fabric of the government we have that will help serve Philadelphians,” she said.
Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. denounced the barrage of executive orders that still have unknown consequences.
“As we watched the clown car unload at the White House, we didn’t know how to block half the stuff that was coming down the pike,” he said.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada lamented the fear that’s already been sown in the immigrant community after an ICE raid on a Kensington car wash. Seven people were detained after the raid, according to immigrant advocacy organizations.
“They’re not sending their children to school, they’re not showing up for work. There are innocent people who have been here for many years, who have established a life here who are being caught up in all of this,” she said.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson said the city would resist.
“It’s been a very challenging week but I know the leadership of the city of Philadelphia is well-prepared to push back,” he said.