Trump's Policies Strengthen Sanctuary City Movement, Conservative Warns

Conservative commentator says Trump's 'grotesque' actions have handed political victory to his enemies

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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In an article for the conservative outlet The Dispatch, author Kevin D. Williamson warns that President Donald Trump's failures, particularly his administration's response to a Medicaid fraud case in Minnesota, have strengthened the sanctuary city movement across the country. Williamson argues that Trump's 'imbecilic' decision to send Border Patrol and ICE agents to Minnesota has only served to deepen the state and city's commitment to sanctuary policies, and has emboldened other states and cities to enact new restrictions on cooperation with federal immigration enforcers.

Why it matters

The article suggests that Trump's heavy-handed tactics have backfired, making sanctuary policies more popular and better-implemented across the country. This could have significant political implications, as the sanctuary city movement gains momentum and becomes a more potent political force.

The details

Williamson cites the example of Tom Homan, a Trump administration border advisor, who announced he was pulling Department of Homeland Security personnel out of Minnesota, claiming it was 'now less of a sanctuary state for criminals.' However, Williamson argues that Homan's ICE agents made themselves targets of rage with killings of innocent U.S. citizens. Williamson says Trump's actions have strengthened sanctuary policies in states like Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and New Mexico, and even in Texas, where such policies could soon be forbidden by state law.

  • On February 13, 2026, the article was published on the AlterNet website.

The players

Kevin D. Williamson

An author who wrote an article for the conservative outlet The Dispatch warning about the consequences of President Trump's policies.

Tom Homan

A Trump administration border advisor who announced he was pulling Department of Homeland Security personnel out of Minnesota.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States whose policies and actions are the focus of the article.

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What they’re saying

“Trump's imbecilic decision to respond to a Medicaid fraud case in Minnesota with the Border Patrol and ICE will be that Minnesota and Minneapolis are left with a deepened commitment to their sanctuary policies.”

— Kevin D. Williamson, Author (The Dispatch)

“The Trump administration not only has made sanctuary policies more popular — the administration has, through its abuse of power, made those policies better policies.”

— Kevin D. Williamson, Author (The Dispatch)

What’s next

The article does not mention any clear next steps or future newsworthy moments related to this story.

The takeaway

This case highlights how the Trump administration's heavy-handed tactics and policies have backfired, strengthening the sanctuary city movement across the country and handing a political victory to the president's opponents.