The choice in the Nashville mayoral race is between incumbent Mayor David Briley, who is soft on immigration — and Metro Councilman John Cooper, who is soft on immigration.
Michael Patrick Leahy on Tuesday’s Tennessee Star Report weighed in on the mayoral debate: “So, the very, very, very, bad Mayor – David Briley – debated with the very, very bad Metro Council at large candidate for Mayor, John Cooper. And purportedly they were discussing issues. Except they really weren’t. They talked platitudes.”
The report is broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am.
Briley tweeted, “This week, @WSMV reported on Metro probation officers sharing Nashville residents’ personal information with ICE agents. Today, I’m ordering the Metro Auditor to conduct a full investigation of the department involved and these deeply troubling reports.”
This week, @WSMV reported on Metro probation officers sharing Nashville residents’ personal information with ICE agents. Today, I'm ordering the Metro Auditor to conduct a full investigation of the department involved and these deeply troubling reports. pic.twitter.com/JKqGWCcCR6
— Judge David Briley (@DavidBriley) August 29, 2019
One comment summed up the Nashville mayor’s responsibility — to protect the public: “If they are on probation then they have broken a law and should be sent back home. You should be protecting Nashvillians from criminals not giving aid to people whose first act was to break the law by coming here illegally.”
If they are on probation then they have broken a law and should be sent back home. You should be protecting Nashvillians from criminals not giving aid to people whose first act was to break the law by coming here illegally.
— Jamie (@jamie0219) August 29, 2019
News 4 bragged in a tweet about its report leading to Briley’s demand: “JUST IN: Mayor David Briley joins Metro council in ordering a full investigation after News4 Investigates uncovered Metro’s probation department actively working with ICE agents to get people deported.”
JUST IN: Mayor David Briley joins Metro council in ordering a full investigation after News4 Investigates uncovered Metro's probation department actively working with ICE agents to get people deported. https://t.co/8KmUTXG5KD
— WSMV 4 Nashville (@WSMV) August 29, 2019
That led to one astute observer’s comment: “So you uncovered 2 law enforcement agencies working together …. how cutting edge you are.”
https://twitter.com/charest_mark/status/1167136158729625600
Colby Sledge, one council member, tweeted his love for fellow sanctuary city backers: “Proud that 29 Metro elected officials signed letter calling for probation department to stop coordinating with ICE. These actions are endangering all Nashvillians and keeping people from the help they need. Hopeful department will take right steps before reporting to Council.”
Proud that 29 Metro elected officials signed letter calling for probation department to stop coordinating with ICE. These actions are endangering all Nashvillians and keeping people from the help they need. Hopeful department will take right steps before reporting to Council. pic.twitter.com/4WbdWFL6XG
— Colby Sledge (@ColbySledge) August 29, 2019
Sledge previously backed former Mayor Megan Barry’s push to set up a sanctuary city, The Tennessee Star said.
Lest you think John Cooper would be tougher on immigration, think again.
The Star reported in July on how neighbors in Hermitage interfered with efforts by customs agents to apprehend an illegal immigrant man and a boy. They locked arms around a van the immigrants hid in while ICE agents tried to serve a civil warrant (detainer).
Briley reassured outraged liberals that Metro police officers were present only to keep order, not to help detain the illegal aliens.
Cooper tweeted a series of statements supporting the neighbors and opposing ICE, including: “I am proud of these neighbors and their community for their actions this morning. I want to know more about what role, if any, Metro played in conjunction with ICE this morning. This kind of disruption is unhelpful and harmful to our community on so many levels.”
I am proud of these neighbors and their community for their actions this morning. I want to know more about what role, if any, Metro played in conjunction with ICE this morning. This kind of disruption is unhelpful and harmful to our community on so many levels. https://t.co/99odMr5hFT
— John Cooper (@JohnCooper4Nash) July 22, 2019
So truly, Nashville voters have the choice of Sanctuary City Mayor Briley or Sanctuary City Mayor Cooper.
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
Photo “David Briley” by David Briley.
[…] Last week, Briley called for the Metro Nashville Davidson County Office of Internal Audit to conduct a full investigation and performance audit of the General Sessions Probation Department for reportedly proactively sharing probationers’ personal information and other data with an ICE agent, The Star also reported. […]
Nashville. What a joke.
If Mayor Briley and his ilk truly believe in what he has approved, backing injustice, then he needs to open his doors to these illegal trespassers, let them sit at his table and sleep in his bed. The state of Maryland is dealing with this just now, protecting an illegal who raped a 12-year-old girl. The business of government is to protect it people, not to protect criminals to the detriment of it’s people. We are a nation of laws for a reason, and mobs of people who protect law-breakers are vigilantes. That cannot stand.
Thank you Mayor Briley on behalf of our organization.
This is obstruction of justice. Every council member that signed the letter should be investigated.
NOTE TO MAYOR BRILEY – IT IS AGAINST FEDERAL LAW TO OBSTRUCT ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL LAW. YOU SHOULD BE ARRESTED BY THE FBI FOR USING FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS TO PROMOTE A SANTUARY CITY AND OBSTRUCTING FEDERAL AGENTS FROM REMOVING POTIENTIAL DANGEROUS PERSONS FROM THE CITY.
I WILL VOTE AGAINST YOU!
I ENCOURAGE ALL REPUBLICANS TO DO SO. YOU MAY HAVE TO HOLD YOUR NOSE WHEN YOU VOTE BUT LOOK NOT VOTING IN THIS ELECTION IS A VOTE FOR BRILEY. AS LEAST WE WILL GET RIDDEN OF SOME OF THE FOUL ODOR THAT HAS BE RAIDING OUR BACK POCKETS.
When will the Tennessee State government step in and stop this BS? Don’t we enforce that 2018 legislation? Strip all ECD funding from Nashville, per that law, and then throw Briley is the “big house” for aiding and abetting. TODAY! He wants and needs a “security detail”, give him one. Then, if Cooper gets elected, and pulls the same BS, they can be cell mates.
so we’ve apparently reached the point where “milquetoast liberal” is the main quality the majority of the Davidison Co citizenry look for in a mayoral candidate….good grief
THIS is just the latest reason that Nashville does NOT need Briley in government.
Good Job, Nashvillians. Prepare to become a shit hole.
Nashville is just about there already…
Briley is a very bad mayor!!
I bet they don’t stop METRO agencies from working with the FBI, DEA, IRS, Secret Service, US Marshals, or the Postal Inspectors.