President Trump’s administration is pushing hard to deport illegal aliens, but sanctuary cities like Denver are throwing up roadblocks. Abraham Gonzalez, a 23-year-old Venezuelan and suspected Tren de Aragua gang member, was released by the Denver Sheriff’s Department on February 28 despite an ICE detainer. Video shows him fighting six ICE agents in a jail parking lot, landing a blow before they subdued him.

The House Oversight Committee grilled Denver Mayor Mike Johnston Wednesday over this mess. Chairman Jim Jordan blasted Johnston, saying, “345 days you had him in custody. And ICE said, can you give us 48 hours heads up? You gave them one hour notice… An officer got assaulted because of your policy.” Conservatives see this as proof sanctuary rules endanger Americans.

Gonzalez crossed into the U.S. in September 2023 under Biden’s watch, released after minimal vetting. Denver’s sanctuary policy—giving ICE just a one-hour heads-up—forced agents to chase him outside rather than take custody safely inside the jail. A sheriff’s document even warned Gonzalez that ICE was after him, tipping him off to resist.

Trump’s DOJ, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, is already moving to crush sanctuary jurisdictions. They’re pausing federal funds to cities like Denver, sparking lawsuits from defiant mayors. Johnston testified he’d rather go to jail than comply with federal immigration law—a stance conservatives call reckless.

The assault isn’t isolated. Tren de Aragua, a brutal Venezuelan gang, has spread across the U.S., thriving in sanctuary zones. Gonzalez’s release let him loose until ICE nabbed him post-fight, now holding him for deportation. Republicans argue this chaos stems from Biden’s open borders, reversed by Trump’s border troops and wall reboot.

Johnston claimed Denver’s notified ICE 1,226 times without issue until now. “We walked him right out into a secure location,” he told CNN, calling it a fluke. Conservatives aren’t buying it—sanctuary cities shouldn’t be gambling with public safety or ICE officers’ lives.

Trump’s team isn’t backing off. Border crossings are down to 300 daily from Biden’s 10,000, and ICE is ramping up sweeps. Vice President J.D. Vance, speaking from Texas Tuesday, said Biden “gutted” enforcement, but Trump’s rebuilding it. This Denver fiasco only fuels their fire.

Republicans see blood in the water. Posts on X from Trump’s base call sanctuary policies “stupid” and a “risk to communities,” echoing Jordan’s charge that an officer paid the price. The heartland wants illegals gone—especially gang members—and Trump’s delivering.

America can’t afford this nonsense, conservatives say. Trump’s deporting threats like Gonzalez while Denver’s Democrat leaders play games. This assault is a wake-up call—sanctuary cities either get in line, or Republicans will force them to, keeping the nation safe and strong.