Live Updates: Wu Defends Boston’s Sanctuary City Policies Before House Committee

WASHINGTON — Boston mayor Michelle Wu ’07 arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday morning to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Boston’s sanctuary city policies.

Boston currently prohibits law enforcement from detaining residents based solely on their immigration status or assisting federal immigration enforcement except on matters of “significant public safety.”

Wu joins the Democratic mayors of Chicago, Denver, and New York City before the committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky).

In a statement before the hearing, Comer denounced sanctuary city rules as “reckless, illegal policies that shield criminal aliens from federal immigration enforcement and endanger public safety.”

“The House Oversight Committee will hold sanctuary mayors publicly accountable for refusing to abide by the law and placing Americans’ lives at risk,” he added.

While Wu aims to use Wednesday’s hearing to bolster her political future, threats to federal funding could prove devastating for Boston. A bill by House Republicans challenges federal funding for sanctuary cities, and the White House has threatened to freeze Department of Justice grants that support Boston law enforcement.

The hearing began at 10 a.m. Follow The Crimson for live updates.

Wu Debriefs — 7:30 p.m.

In the hallway outside the hearing room immediately after the end of her testimony, Wu told reporters she wanted to tell Congress what her constituents wanted them to know.

“Whatever happens at the federal level ends up impacting families on the ground, and the responsibility of us at the local level is to do whatever it takes, even if that involves sticking up for people who were failed by federal policies,” she said.

Wu, who maintained a steady presence and landed some of her own sharp digs at lawmakers during the six-hour hearing, said she “knew it would be a long day” of questioning.

She said she was proud “to stick up for our city, especially in the cases where there was lots of misinformation and lots of assertions from people who haven’t been to Boston, don’t know our city.”

“We are proud of who we are,” she said.

Hearing Ends — 4:34 p.m.

The hearing concluded shortly after 4 p.m. Oversight Committee chair Rep. James Comer (R-Ky). thanked the witnesses for attending and praised the lawmakers who questioned them.

“Believe it or not, this is the best-behaved this committee’s been all Congress,” Comer said.

Wu Says She Doesn’t Control Border Policy — 4:29 p.m.

In response to questions from Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), Wu tried to separate her office’s local decisions from federal border policy.

Burlison asked Mayor Wu at what point the cost of admitting undocumented immigrants in Boston would come at too high a cost to other residents of the city. Wu acknowledged that resources in Boston were “strained,” but said it was the responsibility of federal lawmakers to set border policy.

“Respectfully, I’m the mayor of Boston,” Wu said. “I don’t get to decide who comes into our country and where they go after that.”

“Our job is to keep people fed and healthy and safe when they arrive in our city, and we do that in order to make sure that everyone across our community is safe,” she added. “I would ask you to please do your job and be part of passing bipartisan legislation.”

Burlison explicitly threatened federal funding for Boston and other cities, suggesting Wednesday’s hearing set the stage for Congress to use its “constitutional powers, such as the power of the purse, to force these and other sanctuary cities into compliance.”

A Break for Wu as Lawmakers Hone in on Chicago, Denver — 4:26 p.m.

The last hour of the hearing moved the spotlight off Wu as lawmakers focused on her colleagues.

Representatives from Illinois and Colorado grilled Johnson and Johnston, arguing that limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities in Chicago and Denver had led crime to spike in and around the cities.

And Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) used her time to accuse Adams of accepting a quid pro quo, claiming that he agreed to ramp up collaboration with federal immigration enforcement in exchange for Trump administration officials dropping the charges against him.

Wu, McGuire Clash Over Crime Statistics — 3:44 p.m.

The mayors being questioned on the floor of the speaker’s hearing room have been constantly interrupted by the representatives on the Oversight Committee. But while being questioned by Rep. John J. McGuire (R-Va.), Wu took an opportunity to do the same, challenging McGuire on crime statistics.

“Mayor Wu, in the Boston area alone, Tom Homan said there are at least nine accused child rapists who local authorities refused to turn over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” McGuire said.

“That is inaccurate. That is false. That is false,” Wu said, speaking over him. “I’d like to see the facts on that.”

“Put him under oath and ask the questions here,” she added.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson told the Boston Globe he was not sure what cases Homan was referring to, but thought the number might have been based on ICE press releases, which described accusations but not convictions.

Questioned Over Crime, Wu Says She Will Keep Boston’s Sanctuary Status — 3:32 p.m.

Mayor Wu said Boston will not roll back its sanctuary city policies in response to questioning by Rep. Nicholas A. Langworthy (R-N.Y.), who asked her whether she had considered revoking the city’s status.

Langworthy cited the death of Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student who was killed by an unauthorized immigrant while she was jogging, and listed off gruesome crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, whom he claimed had been sheltered by sanctuary policies.

“The witnesses before us have protected the perpetrators,” Langworthy said, accusing Wu of expressing sympathy for a man who was shot and killed by an off-duty officer after attempting to attack people with a knife in a Boston Chick-fil-A.

“Congressman, check your facts,” Wu said. “I did not express sympathy for that individual but for their family.”

As Langworthy spoke over her, Wu said, “any individual life lost is a tragedy.”

Langworthy asked the mayors whether anything had led them to consider removing sanctuary city status.

“We are the safest major city in the country, in part because people trust they can call 911 and help police solve crimes,” Wu said. “We are going to continue to keep our policies in place that have been working for the people of Boston.”

Crockett Questions Adams, Accuses Republicans of Hypocrisy on Trump — 3:19 p.m.

Crockett began by asking if any of the mayors were aware of immigrants in their cities who faced 34 felony convictions — an allusion to Trump’s 34 convictions in relation to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.

“I know that my Republican colleagues would never want anyone with 34 felony convictions roaming around, because they could be a danger to the community,” she said.

She asked Adams whether he had struck an agreement with Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar.

“No quid pro quo, no agreement, I did nothing wrong,” Adams said.

Stansbury Slams Hearing as Political Theater — 2:51 p.m.

Rep. Melanie A. Stansbury (D-N.M.) called the hearing an effort to intimidate local officials, slamming House Republicans as attempting to “make ads” with their hearing comments.

“My colleagues across the aisle are producing TV ads to try to pretend they are making this country safe again,” Stansbury said. “It’s total bullshit.”

“Our mayors are sitting here enduring this ridiculous hearing as they have been threatened in front of the American people,” she added.

Addressing Trump’s campaign promises on immigration, Stansbury said the president has “failed to even execute on the most basic thing that he said he would do, which was to pass immigration reform when he got into office.

“Here we are, Donald Trump,” she added,.“Where is the immigration bill?”

Stansbury also thanked Wu for attending the hearing with her newborn baby.

“She has a seven week old baby, and she showed up to testify and be yelled at by our colleagues for four hours,” Stansbury said.

“Mayor Wu, may your daughter grow up to be a fierce leader like you,” she added.

Wu Says Both Biden, Trump Failed on Immigration — 2:28 p.m.

After asking Wu if she supported the Biden administration politically, Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) asked if Wu thought the administration “took border security seriously.”

“I think Washington failed on immigration and continues to do so,” Wu said.

“Let me ask that again: do you think the Biden admin took border security seriously?” Fallon repeated.

“I think Washington failed—” Wu started.

“It’s a yes or no,” Fallon said. “It’s not a trick question, Mayor.”

Wu tried to respond again saying, “I think there’s responsibility across this entire —” but Fallon interrupted.

“Come on, we can eke it out of you,” he said. “Yes or no — did Biden-Harris do a good job?”

“Washington has failed,” Wu said, as Fallon spoke over her, “and we are cleaning up the pieces in cities.”

“Okay, so you’re not going to answer. Well, here’s the thing,” Fallon interrupted. “We can deal with delusion or we can deal with data.”

Pressley Thanks Wu, Condemns Trump — 2:16 p.m.

Pressley used her time to directly address Wu, expressing her gratitude for their “long-standing partnership in public service.”

Pressley — who represents much of Cambridge — allowed Wu to credit immigrants in Boston for their contributions to the city.

“Our city is vibrant. Our city is diverse. Our city is beautiful,” Pressley said. “In our world, immigration is central to the economic success of Boston, is it not?”

“Absolutely,” Wu answered. “All of our key industries, whether it’s healthcare, life sciences, higher education, financial services, everything that we do depends on immigrant residents and the contributions that they make.”

Pressley used the rest of her time to condemn Republicans and President Trump: “Here we have a man who thinks he is king, screaming anti-immigrant slurs from the Oval Office.”

“The only person who has something to answer for is Donald Trump,” Pressley said.

“My colleagues don’t really care about criminality,” she added. “If you really cared about criminality, you would do something about Elon Musk’s power grabs, stealing our data. You would do something about efforts to defund the National Institutes about cancer research.”

“It is a shame, and a shame,” Pressley said before yielding her time. “America has a problem, and it is Donald Trump.”

Luna Says She Plans To Refer Mayors to Justice Department Investigation — 2:11 p.m.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) called the panel of mayors “ideologically misled” in her questions, accusing them of violating federal law to shelter undocumented residents.

“It’s very clear that policies that you have all implicated that are active in your cities are in direct violation with U.S. code title,” Luna said.

“Which is a federal offense,” she added.

Johnson and Wu both responded that they comply with federal laws.

Luna concluded her time by announcing plans to refer the mayors the Department of Justice for criminal investigation.

“I’m not doing that in an effort to bully you guys, but I do believe your policies are hurting the American people and you can make that known with the evidence you can present to the Department of Justice,” she concluded.

A criminal referral from Congress does not require the Justice Department to launch a prosecution.

Donalds Presses Wu on Spending in Heated Exchange — 1:53 p.m.

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) asked mayors how much their cities have spent on illegal immigration, asking for a hard number — continuing a line of questioning that Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) began earlier in the hearing.

“If you don’t have a hard number, you’re not running your city well,” Donalds shot at Johnson after he did not give a short enough answer.

“Mayor Wu, in the city of Boston, how much did you spend?” he asked. The questioning quickly devolved into crosstalk.

“We don’t ask about immigration status in delivering —” Wu started.

“You don’t ask about how much money the city of Boston has spent on illegal immigration?” Donalds pressed. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Mayor Wu, do you manage your budget or not?” he continued.

“I manage my budget, I have a triple A bond rating dating back 10 years —” Wu began.

“So to the city of Boston, just understand that your mayor does not care how much of your resources she has spent on people who are not citizens of the city of Boston,” Donalds said.

Wu argued over Donalds: “The city of Boston is sick of having people outside of Boston telling us what we need,” she said, as Donalds spoke over her to move on to another question.

Shouting Match Between Comer, Pressley — 1:36 p.m.

Rep. Ayanna S. Pressley (D-Mass.) entered a heated verbal confrontation with Comer, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform chair. The two, interrupting each other in increasingly loud tones, spoke over each other throughout the entire exchange.

As Pressley attempted to enter an article into exhibit through unanimous consent, she was interrupted by Comer as she read an excerpt. When asking if she could continue, Comer did not allow her to.

“You guys violating Committee rules to get on MSNBC is ridiculous,” Comer said.

“I am exercising my procedural right,” Pressley shot back. “I have several articles to enter into the record.”

Comer introduced the next speaker, preventing Pressley from continuing to read headlines.

Mace Barrages Wu With Questions — 1:33 p.m.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), set to visit Harvard’s Institute of Politics tomorrow, began a barrage of questions to which she demanded a yes-or-no answer, interrupting the mayors if they did not answer as such.

“Do you acknowledge breaking into our country is a crime, yes or no?” she asked, moving quickly from mayor to mayor. Unsatisfied with the answers of Johnston, Johnson, and Adams, Mace set her sights on Wu. “Mayor Wu, do you have a better answer than these gentlemen before you?”

Wu simply answered “yes” to the question Mace originally asked.

“When an illegal alien rapes a woman, do you think you are on the right side of history?” Mace then asked. When the other three mayors asked Mace to repeat or clarify her question, she moved on to asking Wu.

“No — rape is obviously horrible,” Wu said.

“Then why are you letting rapists back out on the streets of Boston?” Mace demanded.

“That is not true,” Wu replied. “That is not what is happening in Boston.”

Mace then turned to Wu specifically. “Do you believe that ICE arresting a child rapist quote threatens everyone’s safety unquote, yes or no,” Mace said, reading from her notes.

“No,” Wu said.

“Does ICE arresting a murderous MS13 gang member threaten everyone’s safety, yes or no?” Mace asked.

“No,” Wu repeated.

“I would like to hold up this quote of you,” Mace said, holding up a small sheet of paper which read “[ICE’s] efforts actually threaten the safety of everyone – Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.”

“You’re a hypocrite,” Mace said, yielding her time.

Wu Says Civil Immigration Cooperation Would Undermine Trust in Boston Law Enforcement — 1:00 p.m.

Wu was questioned by Rep. Summer L. Lee (D-Pa.) on Republicans’ recent comments threatening to pull federal funding from sanctuary cities based on their policies. Lee asked what Wu thought about these threats, describing them as Republicans’ “attempts to force you to enact policies that are against the very things your constituents voted for.”

Wu doubled down on her previous comments that the current Boston Trust Act, which instructs the Boston Police Department to stay out of civil immigration enforcement, keeps Boston safe and assists the city’s police force with their work.

“We need everyone to feel secure in their communities, like they can reach out, they can call 911 if they need help — and in our city, those laws actually help Boston police solve crimes,” Wu said, taking the opportunity to expand on one of her key arguments in the hearing.

“The laws are most important, and the safety of our residents are most important,” Wu said.

Wu Touts Record on Youth Employment — 12:34 p.m.

In response to a friendly line of questioning from Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), Wu highlighted city programs to reduce youth unemployment.

“Our mayors guaranteed that any young person in the Boston Public Schools who wanted a job would get one,” Wu said. “Record numbers are participating.”

Casar said Republicans were engaging in a blame game against immigrants to distract from Democratic mayors’ policy successes.

“You are pairing a law enforcement response, along with a mental health response, a housing response, a jobs response,” he said.

Wu Says Bostonians Are ‘Terrified’ — 12:22 p.m.

Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) credited Wu by saying Boston is the ninth best city in the country for quality of life, before asking how the Trump administration’s recent immigration crackdown would affect that quality of life by “forcing you to redirect your city’s budget and personnel to help with ice raids and this mass deportation campaign.”

Wu took the opportunity to argue that uncertainty around immigration policies has already impacted residents’ well-being, saying many residents have told Wu that “they are terrified.”

“And that means when people don’t feel comfortable calling 911, when they need help, when survivors of domestic violence don’t feel comfortable reporting or giving info, it makes all of us less safe, even those of us who aren’t immigrants,” Wu said.

Garcia Asks Adams To Resign — 12:19 p.m.

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) used his allotted questioning period to target Mayor Eric Adams of New York, describing Adams — who said on Fox & Friends that he was “collaborating” with Trump’s immigration agenda — as the black sheep among the four mayors. He listed corruption charges against Adams, including bribery and wire fraud.

“Republican prosecutors agree that the evidence against you is ironclad, yet Trump’s DOJ moved to drop these charges,” said Garcia. He attacked Adams’ apparent willingness to work with the hardline policies championed by Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan.

“Are you selling out New Yorkers to save yourself from prosecution?” Garcia asked.

“There is no deal, no quid pro quo, and I did nothing wrong,” Adams said.

As his time expired, Garcia said, “Mayor, you should resign.”

“You should do the right thing, you should step down, and resign today,” he said.

Wu Opposes Mass Deportations — 12:10 p.m.

Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) pressed the mayors over whether they thought unauthorized immigrants should be allowed to stay in their cities after entering the United States illegally.

“Should we have an immigration law in this country, or should anybody who comes here just be able to stay here?” Grothman asked Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson.

Wu joined Johnson in replying that the US “clearly” needs an immigration law that secures the border but provides “consistent, compassionate pathways to residency and citizenship.”

“At the same time, I do not support mass deportation. That would be devastating for our economy, and there are millions of people who are running our small businesses, going to our schools,” she said, before being cut off by Comer.

“I don’t think anyone is calling for mass deportations,” Comer said.

President Donald Trump asked Congress in an address last night for more funding to “complete the largest deportation operation in American history.”

Foxx Asks Wu How Much Money Boston Spends Serving Undocumented Immigrants — 11:51 a.m.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) asked the mayors how much money their cities spent on emergency services for undocumented immigrants in their city how much money the cities have spent on “illegal aliens” and if there were organizations within these cities that serve undocumented residents.

“I don’t need a speech, just a number,” she said.

While other mayors volunteered numbers — falling between $79 million and $6.9 billion — Wu did not produce a figure.

“We do not ask about immigration status in giving emergency services, so we do not have a number,” Wu said.

Foxx followed up, asking if non-governmental organizations provided welfare services to undocumented immigrants.

“There are community organizations, many of them in Boston, who seek to serve all of our Boston residents,” Wu responded.

Foxx, a vocal critic of Harvard, was a key figure in the December 2023 hearing that intensified calls for Harvard President Claudine Gay’s resignation — a spectacle that House Republicans may be hoping to repeat with Wednesday’s grilling of the four sanctuary city mayors. As chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Foxx led an investigation into antisemitism at Harvard and universities nationwide that concluded late last year.

Pressley Interrupts Questioning To Criticize Trump’s Deportations — 11:45 a.m.

Rep. Ayanna S. Pressley (D-Mass.) asked for unanimous consent to enter new evidence in the congressional record stressing impact of deportations.

She first entered an article from the Joint Economic Committee in 2024, arguing that mass deportations would “deliver a massive blow” to the U.S. economy. She then entered an excerpt from a publication by the American Immigration Council in 2024, likewise arguing that mass deportations would be “devastating” to the “budget and economy.”

This is the second time in the hearing that Pressley has filed a unanimous consent request to add additional information to the record. The first time, she entered news articles describing parents pulling young children from child care over deportation fears and the suicide death of an 11-year-old girl after rumors of an immigration raid spread at her school.

No Break for Wu — 11:43 a.m.

The hearing was briefly interrupted after Rep. Comer said that “Mayor Wu needs a short break to attend to her young child.”

But Wu, the only female mayor in attendance, responded that her husband informed her that the “baby is okay for now” and said she would “continue” until the committee pauses for a break.

“The arrangement, if it’s okay, is that everyone would take a break so that I wouldn’t have to go to the back room to nurse when it’s time,” she said.

Wu Says Boston Policies Are Consistent With Federal Law — 11:39 a.m.

Rep. Paul A. Gosar (R-Ariz.) challenged the four mayors over the constitutionality of sanctuary city policies, suggesting they were illegal under the supremacy clause of the Constitution, which grants federal law priority over conflicting state law.

“We follow all state, city, and federal laws in Boston,” Wu said. She asserted that the Constitution does not require cities to follow federal law when it conflicts with local law.

“We’re the ones that define that,” Gosar shot back. “How can you get a comprehensive immigration law when you’re defying it from the get-go?”

Wu went on the offensive in response, urging lawmakers to pass immigration and gun reforms.

“If you wanted to make us safe,” she said, “pass gun reforms. Stop cutting Medicaid. Stop cutting cancer research, stop cutting funds for veterans. That is what will make our city safe.”

Wu Says She Wants ‘Comprehensive’ Immigration Legislation — 11:35 a.m.

In response to questioning from Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.), Wu welcomed the possibility of federal legislation on immigration.

“Please, pass comprehensive immigration law that is consistent and compassionate that will make our jobs possible,” she said. “We would so appreciate that partnership.”

Lynch used his time to change the tone of the questioning, praising the mayors while challenging them to clarify how their local policies align with federal law: “I’m asking you for advice — you have a great perspective on this.”

He said there was a seemingly direct conflict between the city’s sovereignty and the enumerated powers of Congress.

“How do we together reconcile the tension between those two operating systems — grants of power?” Lynch asked.

“I’d welcome any advice you have, because that’s what we’re struggling with up here,” he added.

The exchange showed Lynch offering an opening to the mayors while trying to maintain a stricter sense on immigration. Lynch was the only member of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation to back the Laken Riley Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants accused of certain times.

Wu Blasts Trump’s ‘Border Czar’ — 11:20 a.m.

Wu blasted Donald Trump’s “border czar” Thomas D. Homan for his previous threats to Boston, saying he will “bring hell to the city.”

“Let’s talk about Tom Homan. Shame on him ” Wu said, in response to a question from ranking member Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.). “Shame on him for lying about my city.”

Republicans have already shown hostility in their questioning. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) opened by asking each mayor whether their cities were a “sanctuary city.”

He later asked Wu if she would hand a criminal over to the federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Wu responded that Boston cooperates with law enforcement. Comer asked again for a yes or no answer, repeating “would you hand him over to ICE?” and “I’ll take that as a no.”

Wu said that regardless of immigration status, Boston residents will be held responsible for their actions, but did not answer Comer’s question.

“If you commit a crime, you will be held accountable,” she said.

As members grilled the mayors on their cities’ law enforcement and cooperation with federal officials, Wu defended Boston’s current law enforcement and governance.

“Others may want to bring hell — we are here to bring peace to cities everywhere,” Wu said.

Wu Praises Boston’s Safety, Supports Immigrant Population — 11:00 a.m.

Mayor Wu celebrated Boston as the safest major city in the nation and voiced strong support for the city’s immigrant population in her opening remarks.

“Last year, Boston saw the fewest homicides on record in the last 70 years — those are the facts,” she said. “We are the safest major city in the nation because we are safe for everyone.”

All four mayors stressed that their cities’ policies are all within legal grounds of federal law. Wu touted the city’s strong relationship with the Boston Police Department, noting that “the BPD partners everyday with state and federal law enforcement.”

She attributed Boston’s safety to the city’s stringent gun laws, and “because all of our residents can trust that when they call 911 in the event of an emergency or to report a crime, help will come.”

“This federal administration’s approach is undermining that trust,” she said.

Wu, a child of immigrant parents herself, praised Boston’s immigrant population as integral to the strength and character of the city.

“One in four Boston residents were born somewhere else,” she said. “All of them chose this country as their home because, like my mom and dad, they believe that here, where you’ve been doesn’t limit where you’re going.”

“We are the cradle of democracy and the city of champions. We are all of these things not in spite of our immigrants, but because of them,” Wu said.

Pressley Introduces Wu, Praises Her Leadership — 10:24 a.m.

Rep. Ayanna S. Pressley (D-Mass.) introduced Mayor Wu to the committee as a “dedicated leader committed to making Boston a welcoming home for everyone.”

“For over a decade I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Mayor Wu and witnessing her dedication to public service first hand,” Pressley said. “She leads with compassion, she is innovative, and she is inclusive.”

Pressley joined Sens. Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren and other members of the Massachusetts delegation at a press conference yesterday to voice their support for the mayor. All of the lawmakers praised Wu’s leadership — a sentiment that Pressley echoed today.

“Under her leadership Boston has become the safest major city in America, a city that is welcoming to families from all walks of life,” Pressley said.

Wu nodded appreciatively, mouthing the words “thank you” after Pressley’s introductory remarks.

Wu Arrives at the Hearing — 10:10 a.m.

The mayors of major sanctuary cities are arriving for the highly anticipated Oversight Committee hearing. Michelle Wu ’07 walked past reporters with a cross of ash on her forehead, recognizing Ash Wednesday, and her newborn baby on her hip as she made her way into the hearing room.

Wu gave birth to a baby girl on Jan. 14 — two weeks before she received a letter requesting she testify before the committee. She chose not to take maternity leave amid her hearing prep.

“In my role, there is no such thing as delegating the job and just taking off weeks at a time,” Wu told Boston Public Radio in August. “I am on call 24/7 and when a decision needs to be made, I make it.”

Democratic Lawmakers Support Mayors at Press Conference — 9:25 a.m.

Democratic lawmakers bashed Oversight Committee Republicans for their actions against sanctuary cities at a press conference held prior to the hearing, where Boston mayor Michelle Wu ’07 will appear to testify on Boston’s sanctuary city policies.

Two Democratic legislators spoke to reporters, including Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), who called President Donald Trump a “bully.”

The leaders condemned attempts from Republicans to target cities like Boston.

“Today, they are going to try and put our mayors on trial,” Ramirez said.

The “trial,” a hearing set for 10:00 today, will also feature the mayors of Denver, NYC, and Chicago, and is expected to be a high-stakes showdown.

But Ramirez remained vocally supportive of the mayors, emphasizing that “sanctuary cities are critical to our nation’s fabric.”

“This is what the resistance to that bully looks like,” she 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_.