A Colorado sheriff took umbrage with a recent Department of Homeland Security memo signed by Secretary Jeh Johnson, saying the “veiled threat” of funding cuts was inappropriate and unprofessional.
The memo, was sent to police chiefs and sheriffs around the nation, warned of cuts in grant dollars to localities if Congress didn’t accept all of President Obama’s proposed DHS budget — including the portions that paid for his amnesty plans.
Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith took to Facebook to vent his displeasure with the memo.
“Let me get this straight — the president believes he has the authority to nullify federal laws that don’t serve his personal agenda, but if Congress dares to exercise [its] responsibility of controlling the purse strings, he will willingly hold public safety grants hostage just to get his way?” he wrote.
“Mr. President, you don’t have to love the Congress we elected, but you do have to respect their role as established under the Constitution,” the post continued. “And Mr. Johnson, please show some integrity and stop with the threats. Sheriffs don’t take kindly to them.”
The sheriff reiterated his stance Thursday on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” and said he wasn’t backing down or apologizing. His Facebook post received more than 1,700 likes.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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