Victor Davis Hanson warns that sanctuary policies undermine federal authority

Victor Davis Hanson, speaking on a podcast, maintained that sanctuary cities and counties breach the Constitution by opting out of federal law enforcement, especially in immigration, environmental and firearms matters. He compared the movement to the neo-Confederate doctrine of state sovereignty championed by John C. Calhoun, suggesting that similar defiance could occur if conservatives adopted the same approach. Hanson recounted personal experiences in California where local police refused to detain illegal immigrants for deportation, highlighting the tension between local and federal authorities.

He warned that the conflict may eventually be decided by the Supreme Court, emphasizing that no state or locality can lawfully disregard federal statutes. The commentator also criticized what he sees as a broader left-wing pattern of ignoring federal mandates while invoking moral superiority. Finally, he referenced historical precedents such as Lincoln’s defense of federal forts during the Civil War to underscore his point.