President Trump has promised to unravel many of President Biden’s domestic and foreign policies to fulfill his pledge to make America great again. The Biden team made no secret that they frantically worked to take steps to “Trump-proof” as much as they could before they were forced to turn over the keys to the White House. Lisa Fletcher reports Democrat cities and states have been trying to do the same.

The following is a transcript of a report from “Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson.”
Watch the video by clicking the link at the end of the page.

White House aide: This next order relates to the definition of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment of the United States.

President Donald Trump: Okay, that’s a good one. Birthright — that’s a big one.

The executive order is one of more than 20 signed by President Trump on his first day in office and would deny U.S. citizenship to a child born in the United States if both parents are in the country illegally. The order would also apply if the child’s mother is in the U.S. legally but on a temporary status, such as through a student or work visa, or as a tourist.

President Donald Trump: It’s ridiculous. We’re the only country in the world that does this with birthright, as you know, and it’s just absolutely ridiculous.

Within hours of the executive order, 22 states, San Francisco, and Washington D.C., sued the Trump administration over the birthright executive order.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, one of the attorneys general suing the federal government, called it unconstitutional.

Kris Mayes, Arizona Attorney General: This lawless order is not only nakedly unconstitutional, it is an attack on families and children in this state and across this country, and it will cause irreparable damage and harm to Arizonans.

That action, temporarily blocked by a federal judge in Washington state, was one of the first countermeasures to launch in the new administration. But not the first in a campaign that started as soon as the results of the election became clear.

California set aside 50 million state taxpayer dollars to be ready to sue the Trump administration on issues like illegal immigration, gun control, and transgender care. Four others declared similar intentions. New York Governor Kathy Hochul launched the Empire State Freedom Initiative to fight “any policy and regulatory threats that may emerge.”

Governor Kathy Hochul: If you try to harm New Yorkers or roll back their rights, I will fight you every step of the way.

In New York City, the City Council stands ready to Trump-proof the city’s sanctuary city status, especially after the Democrat mayor Eric Adams sided with Trump on deportations.

Mayor Eric Adams: We’re not going to be a safe haven for those who commit repeated violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants, and long-standing New Yorkers.

Democrat council member Alexa Aviles is working to make New York both Adams-proof and Trump-proof.

Lisa Fletcher: What is the City Council working on right now that it is most concerned that Mayor Adams or President Trump could unravel?

Alexa Aviles: The biggest challenge here is the uncertainty. But we will stand by the laws of New York City and if the mayor himself is interested in rolling back laws, we will be sure to be the check and balance.

Beyond illegal immigration, New York Democrats are also worried they could lose money under Trump administration budget cuts, which could jeopardize crucial services.

Brad Lander is New York City’s chief financial officer.

Lisa Fletcher: How concerned are you that the federal government would withhold funds to the city of New York?

Brad Lander: Nervous enough that we’re studying it very seriously. I mean, look, Elon Musk, who nobody elected, has said that he’s going to cut the federal government spending by one-third. But Donald Trump has said they’re not going to cut Social Security or Medicare. All that leaves are the kinds of programs that cities, not just New York City, but cities all around the country rely on. Literally like our public hospital funding or our school lunches.

Lisa Fletcher: Does it make more sense for the city of New York to try to work with the incoming administration rather than preemptively work against it?

Brad Lander: Well, it depends what things they do. If they are willing to work with us on solving the problems that the city is facing, great. I have not heard a lot of that.

The city of Chicago is bracing for impact too. A sanctuary city that is already on a list of incoming border czar Tom Homan.

Tom Homan: If your Chicago mayor doesn’t want to help, he can step aside. But if he impedes us — if he knowingly harbors or conceals an illegal alien — I will prosecute him.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has promised to protect the illegal immigrants — and Trump-proof the city.

Mayor Brandon Johnson: We’re going to stand up and unite around our shared values, and they have my assurance that I am going to protect the families of this city.

But native Chicagoans tell a different story about favor and focus. We drove through the tough South Chicago neighborhood of Anthony O’Neal. Born and raised in Chicago, he says illegal immigrants from Venezuela have brought crime and chaos to his South Side neighborhood, making life unbearable.

Lisa Fletcher: The cars with the hoods up – what was going on there?

Anthony O’Neal: They Venezuelans. Probably some of their gangs. They be out there pretending like they working on cars but they selling drugs.

Lisa Fletcher: Do the police know?

Anthony O’Neal: They can’t do nothing. They was told not to do nothing. The mayor gave them a code, no, off limits.

A code members of a grassroots group known as “Chicago Red” want to see broken. Founded by P. Rae Easley, they’re calling for an end to Chicago’s sanctuary city policy and want to see illegal immigrants deported.

Lisa Fletcher: Some cities are doing what’s being dubbed as Trump-proofing, which is creating laws or creating laws that fortify existing laws to prevent President Trump’s administration from doing that. Is that the correct approach for elected officials?

P. Rae Easley: Immigration is a federal issue. So I don’t care what these people are doing, if they’re going to get in Tom Homan’s way, they’re going to get locked up.

As in Chicago, there are plenty of opposing opinions in New York City. Republican City Council member Joann Ariola.

Lisa Fletcher: Wouldn’t it be better for New York City to work with the incoming administration rather than oppose it?

Joann Ariola: It would be 100% better. People are fed up. They can’t pay their own bills and we’re giving people who came here illegally, credit cards, education. They weren’t following the same rules that we as American citizens had to face. That just doesn’t work. In ideology maybe, but not in practicality. So that’s why they’re talking about Trump-proofing because they realize that all that they’ve said was wrong.

Watch here.