( Cincinnati ) - Questions continue over what effect Cincinnati's recent "sanctuary city" declaration will have on funding from the federal government.
Courtis Fuller of WLWT-TV was a part of Wednesday's White House press briefing via Skype. He asked what effect that declaration could have on federal projects like building a new Brent Spence Bridge. White House Spokesman Sean Spicer answered "the president is going to do everything he can within the scope of the executive order to make sure that cities who don't comply with it... that remain sanctuary cities don't get federal government funding." He did not specifically address concerns about any as-yet-unannounced plans for the Brent Spence Bridge.
It's an issue Mayor John Cranley talked about on Tuesday with our own Bill Cunningham. Answering accusations from Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandell, Mayor Cranley said "I have a copy of President Trump's executive orders [on immigration]. I don't agree with them which is my political right under the first amendment of the United States Constitution, but we are not violating anything in those executive orders."
Similarly, Councilman Kevin Flynn on Wednesday said "our Cincinnati police will continue to cooperate with federal authorities." Speaking with Scott Sloan last week, Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neill made related statements.
Mayor Cranley says "the federal government can and should enforce its laws. And by the way, every time they ask us to help and cooperate with the federal government, we do so and that hasn't changed."
To hear Mayor Cranley's entire interview, click here.
To hear Sheriff Jim Neill's interview with Scott Sloan, click here.