Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Criticizes Trump Administration in State of the City Address

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu ’07 fiercely defended the city against pressure from the Trump administration in her State of the City address last week — a move that Harvard professor Jacqueline Bhabha praised as the “right decision.”

“Ror the health of the city, the state, and the country as a whole, it’s really, really important to have leaders who speak their mind about the principles on which many of us have founded our lives,” Bhabha, a professor at the School of Public Health and adjunct lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School, said.

Wu used her speech to rebuff the Trump administration’s criticism over immigration and public safety in Boston, following her testimony in Washington earlier this month.

“No one tells Boston how to take care of our own,” she said. “Not kings, and not presidents who think they are kings. Boston was born facing down bullies.”

Boston has been repeatedly scrutinized by the Trump administration over the last few months, facing threats to federal funding over its sanctuary city policies. Wu appeared before the Oversight Committee on March 5 alongside the mayors of Denver, New York City, and Chicago and faced harsh questioning from Republican committee members on the city’s sanctuary status.

Wu used her State of the City address to thank Boston residents for the support she received before her hearing.

“It is because of this community — and the work we’ve done together — that I was able to raise my right hand, swear an oath, and tell the nation the truth: That Boston is the greatest city on earth,” she said.

Wu’s Congressional testimony came only two months after the birth of her third child, and she used her State of the City address to reflect on national politics from perspective as a mother.

“While this national moment isn’t the one I—and so many families—had hoped for, I am grateful that my daughter gets to call this city home,” she added.

Wu broadened her speech to address the impact of recent federal actions — including funding cuts and the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies — that affect citizens “all over the country.”

“People are feeling the weight of a federal administration that’s attacking our sources of strength—the same people and purpose that make Boston great,” Wu said, “Public servants and veterans; immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community; the institutions that conduct groundbreaking research and provide lifesaving care.”

While Bhabha, who studies migration and refugee protection, praised Wu’s speech, she also acknowledged her criticisms do not come without risks.

“There’s no doubt that this federal government, the administration in D.C., does go after people who have different views to those of the administration,” Bhabha said.

“So, is there a risk? Yes — but there's probably a risk anyway,” she added. “There’s a risk that Boston is going to be targeted for 1,000,001 reasons. So would it really make a difference if Mayor Wu had just not said anything? I don’t think so.”

Wu’s audience at MGM Music Hall appeared to agree with Bhabha’s assessment, loudly applauding the mayor’s message.

“For 395 years and counting, come high water or hell — no matter who threatens to bring it — Boston has stood up for the people we love and the country we built,” she said. “And we’re not stopping now.”

“God bless our City, God bless our people, and God save whoever messes with Boston,” Wu added.

—Staff writer Megan L. Blonigen can be reached at megan.blonigen@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X at @MeganBlonigen

—Staff writer Frances Y. Yong can be reached at frances.yong@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X at @frances_yong_.