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Mayor Wu: I won’t ‘roll out the welcome mat’ for Trump’s mass deportations | Bay State Briefing

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Mayor Wu: I won’t ‘roll out the welcome mat’ for Trump’s mass deportations | Bay State Briefing


Good Monday Morning, all.

As if it were needed, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu provided further confirmation last week that she won’t be “[rolling] out the welcome mat” for the incoming Trump administration if it comes to town and starts trying to deport people.

The Democratic mayor’s comments came after President-Elect Donald Trump’s pick for border czar, Tom Homan, dismissed Wu, a two-time Harvard grad, as “not very smart” for her very public defiance, and questioned why any public official would stand in the way of getting criminals off the streets.

“They can not cooperate,” Homan told the cable news channel NewsMax last week, according to The Boston Herald. “But there are certain laws in place that they can’t cross and I hope she doesn’t cross it.”

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Wu fired back in a statement, arguing that Trump and his lieutenants can “say whatever they want about me, but our public safety record speaks for itself: Boston is the safest major city in America.”

The mayor’s tough talk represented the latest escalation in tensions between the Bay State’s top Democrats and the incoming Republican White House as it firms up its plans to use the U.S. military to deport millions of people who are in the country illegally.

If Trump carries through on those plans, tens of thousands of people in Massachusetts also could be deported. However, the effort is expected to face vigorous legal challenges.

Democratic Gov. Maura Healey already has said that the State Police won’t be put to work assisting the new administration.

  • Read More: A big climate bill is headed to Mass. Gov. Healey’s desk. What’s next? | Bay State Briefing

In an interview with MSNBC earlier this month. Healey noted that “every tool in the toolbox has got to be used to protect our citizens, to protect our residents, and protect our states, and certainly to hold the line on democracy and the rule of law.”

Massachusetts Republican Party Chairperson Amy Carnevale slammed Healey and Wu in a statement last week, saying that it’s “appalling and disgusting” that the two pols are “prioritizing appeasing the most radical elements of their political base over the safety of Massachusetts residents.”

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Carnevale’s statement came in response to the news that federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices in Boston had arrested two undocumented immigrants on child rape charges and taken another into custody who had been convicted of the same charge in Brazil.

“Parents across the Commonwealth are horrified that individuals charged with such serious crimes are allowed to roam free because local authorities refuse to work with ICE to remove these criminals from our streets,” Carnevale continued.

X boss Elon Musk also weighed in, attacking state policies and Boston’s decade-old status as a sanctuary city.

“Why are ‘sanctuary’ cities protecting child rapists? Unconscionable. Any politician who does so should be recalled immediately,” the billionaire, and close Trump ally, posted to the social media site, WBUR reported.

In that same statement, Wu defended the city’s approach.

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“Our homicide rates are among the lowest of any city nationally, and gun violence has been at an all-time historic low over the last two years here in Boston,” Wu said, according to WCVB-TV in Boston.

“This is no coincidence — it’s a reflection of the trust between our residents and our public safety officials and a result of our daily focus on community policing and coordinating city services. We will continue to focus on that work and have no intention of rolling out the welcome mat for them,” she continued.

At least one Bay State Democrat has acknowledged that the party’s immigration policies are a political liability.

Speaking to business leaders in Boston last week, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-8th District, said the Democrats’ policies have “caused people to be afraid.”

“Our task is to know who is coming into the country — to have an orderly process that does not scare the bejesus out of people of Arizona and New Mexico,” Lynch said.

Democrat Elizabeth Warren speaks to supporters at SoWa Power Station in Boston on Nov. 5, 2024 after the Associated Press declared her the winner in the U.S. Senate race against Republican John Deaton.(Sebastian Restrepo/MassLive)

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Can you hear them now?

There’s no doubt that Election Day went pretty well for Massachusetts Democrats. Vice President Kamala Harris handily carried the state; U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren coasted to reelection, and the party retained its super-majority on Beacon Hill.

Nonetheless, Bay State Dems are engaging in the same kind of group introspection that’s kind of become a cottage industry since Nov. 5.

Party officials announced a “virtual listening tour” last week that will analyze what worked and what didn’t in 2024; gather feedback on areas for improvement, and “foster a collaborative environment where all voices are heard.

“Your voice matters, and this is your opportunity to help us build on our successes and strengthen our movement for the future. Together, we can ensure the Massachusetts Democratic Party continues to represent and advocate for the values that matter most to our communities,” state Democratic Chairman Steve Kerrigan said in a statement.

Details on the sessions, conducted over Zoom, will be coming soon, the party said.

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U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District, holds a news conference in Brookline, Mass., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024 (John L. Micek/MassLive).

U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District, holds a news conference in Brookline, Mass., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024 (John L. Micek/MassLive).John L. Micek

The plural of caucus is …

U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District, has joined with several of his House colleagues to launch a pro-housing caucus on Capitol Hill. The group has been dubbed the “YIMBY Caucus.” Or “Yes in My Backyard.”

Other members of the bipartisan group include U.S. Reps. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz.; Scott Peters and Robert Garcia, both Democrats of California; Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo.; Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., and Marc Molinaro, R-N.Y., Auchincloss’ office said in a statement announcing its creation.

“The cost of housing is the greatest economic challenge facing Massachusetts. The answer: build more housing,” the Newton lawmaker said. “At all levels of government, Americans need permitting & land use reforms that unlock more housing production.”

Zzzzz …

If you lost sleep on Election Night, take heart, you’re hardly alone.

Nearly 93% of Americans said the nation’s quadrennial political drama cost them some shut-eye this year, according to a post-election study by SleepCycle.

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The website analyzed more than 593,000 sleep sessions to come up with its results. And if there’s any comfort, Americans slept better in 2024 than they did during the 2020 election, the analysis found.

In Massachusetts, 73% of residents reported some quality shuteye on Nov. 5. And most of you headed to bed around 11:35 p.m., according to the analysis.

Voters in Wyoming got the soundest sleep on Election Day, while Mississippi voters had the roughest night, the analysis found.

Phillip Eng, MBTA

Phillip Eng, the general manager of the MBTA walks near a Green Line train at Riverside Station on March 27, 2023. (Chris Lisinski/State House News Service)

They said it

“They continue to deliver on the schedule that we’ve set, and the quality has not shifted. Quality, in fact, has gotten better … All of the learning curve that took place during the Orange Line [car delivery] prior to myself getting here is being factored in, so now the Red Line cars are performing right off the bat.”

MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng on the improving quality of the T’s newly delivered Red and Orange Line cars after the agency “reset” its contract with Chinese manufacturer CRRC (via State House News Service).

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Massachusetts Republicans are hoping to build on earlier gains during legislative elections on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 (State House News Service photo).

Massachusetts Republicans are hoping to build on earlier gains during legislative elections on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 (State House News Service photo).State House News Service

More MassLive politics coverage

A new state law could ease Mass.’ nursing shortage. Here’s how

Boston council worried about missing ballots, but says receivership is ‘premature’

Economic development bill green-lights investments across Western Massachusetts

Mass. Gov Healey signs nearly $4B economic development bill clearing the field for new Revs stadium

Mass. Rep. Clark retains top House leadership post

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Mass. rail backers push for ‘Northern Tier’ passenger trains

Charles Luster, co-founder of Uncommonwealth Group, running for Worcester City Council

Turned up to 11

Because, sometimes, you just need to start the work week with Carly Rae Jepsen. Here she is, live, with Jack Antonoff’s Bleachers with a live version of “Tiny Moves,” recorded at Fisher Green Pavilion in Seattle in July.

Your Monday long read

President-elect Donald Trump has been populating his incoming administration with allies and loyalists from the two states he calls home — New York and Florida. On Friday, the Republican named former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his choice for U.S. attorney general.

Writing for The Dispatch, Michael Warren delves into the Sunshine State’s move into the national spotlight.

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Here’s the germane bit:

“No one represents this Florida takeover better than Susie Wiles, the co-chair of Trump’s 2024 campaign who will serve as his White House chief of staff. And Wiles is not just the architect (along with Chris LaCivita) of Trump’s victory this year,” Warren wrote. “She’s a powerhouse in Florida Republican politics, getting a large amount of credit for both Rick Scott’s out-of-nowhere victory in his 2010 run for governor and Ron DeSantis’ win in the 2018 gubernatorial race. Wiles ran the Trump campaign’s Florida operation in 2016, putting the state back in the Republican column for the first time since 2004. In the eight years since, Florida has only tipped further into the GOP’s column, up and down the ballot.”

That’s it for this morning. Tips, comments, and suggestions can be sent to jmicek@masslive.com. Have a good week, folks.



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Boston, MA

Red Sox win 7th straight game just hours after landing in New York

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Red Sox win 7th straight game just hours after landing in New York


Boston Red Sox

Sonny Gray once again led the way on the bump for Boston.

Infielder Anthony Seigler has been an unlikely hero in the Red Sox’ seven-game win streak. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Are the Boston Red Sox back?

They’re certainly on the right track.

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Boston won its seventh consecutive game Friday night, 6-2, in its series opener against the New York Mets. The victory improved its record to 44-48, which moved the club even closer to .500 on the year.

On top of that, the win was the Red Sox’ 12th in their last 14 games.

Immediately after the final out was recorded, Boston found itself 1.5 games back of the American League’s third wild-card spot.

The win was even sweeter considering the team’s severe issues they experienced in attempting to reach Citi Field.

After they were supposed to have departed Chicago at 9:45 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday night following their series sweep of the White Sox, the Red Sox’ team plane was grounded until 3 p.m. ET on Friday. Weather delays on Thursday kept them at their gate, and then mechanical problems on Friday prolonged their stay on the tarmac well into the afternoon.

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Friday’s game with the Mets was originally scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m., but was pushed back until 7:50 due to Boston not landing at LaGuardia Airport until shortly after 4:30 p.m.

Starting pitcher Sonny Gray did not travel to New York ahead of time, which some starters do to get settled before their outing.

Nevertheless, the Red Sox de facto ace continued his stretch of utterly dominant pitching.

Gray tossed six innings of one-run ball, struck out three, and walked one on 91 pitches (53 strikes). He added an 11th win to his personal record in what has been an excellent season for the veteran right-hander.

Boston’s bullpen was nails, too — Tyron Guerrero, Garrett Whitlock, and Greg Weissert finished the game off in the final three innings after Gray exited. Weissert allowed New York’s second and final run in the ninth on a solo home run, but that was all she wrote in the runs column.

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Offensively, the Red Sox’ bats stayed hot in what has been an unprecedented turnaround by the entire team at the plate.

Masataka Yoshida got things going in the first inning with a two-run double, but Boston was quiet until the seventh when Anthony Seigler broke things open. He hit a two-run homer to extend the lead, his second of the year, and was fired up as he rounded the bases.

After the game, Apple TV’s Heidi Watney asked Seigler how he had so much energy following the travel issues the team encountered earlier in the day. He said the club simply knew they would have to persevere, and they did just that on the diamond.

“I think that’s just how we are. It’s this whole team. It doesn’t just start with one person. I think it’s just everybody in the locker room,” Seigler said. “We were dealt some adversity today, obviously. But it doesn’t matter. We knew we were gonna come out here and handle our business, and we did.”

He even said he felt like he could suit up for another game immediately after the win.

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“I mean, I feel like we could go another nine (innings) if we needed to, honestly, with how we’re going,” Seigler said with a smile.

Seigler, who came to Boston in the Caleb Durbin trade in February, has been a total, albeit unlikely, spark plug since joining the team last month. Through 20 games, he’s slashing .292/.378/.477 with an .855 OPS, and has hit at the top of the order.

Wilyer Abreu joined in on the fun with a two-run shot of his own in the ninth to cap the Red Sox’ scoring. He finally got a hold of one after coming within feet of hitting a homer in the fifth inning.

Boston’s offensive surge couldn’t have come at a better time. The front office has yet to decide whether they will be buyers or sellers at next month’s trade deadline; the team’s hot streak could prevent chief baseball officer Craig Breslow from blowing the roster up entering the second half.

The Red Sox are still four games below .500, but capping off the first half of what was a tumultuous start to the season with a win streak and multiple series sweeps could be just what the doctor ordered with the dog days of summer looming.

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“We’re just putting great at-bats together, the whole lineup from top to bottom,” Seigler said of what’s gone right lately. “Our starter, Sonny, all of them, they just speak for themselves. And then our bullpen does a great job coming in behind them.

“It’s just fun to be around everybody. We believe in each other. Everything’s contagious. We’re all bringing high energy every day.”

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Kaley Brown

Sports producer

Kaley Brown is a sports producer for Boston.com, where she covers the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.

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Kaley Brown

Sports producer

Kaley Brown is a sports producer for Boston.com, where she covers the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.

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Boston, MA

Red Sox face lengthy travel issues ahead of series vs. Mets

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Red Sox face lengthy travel issues ahead of series vs. Mets


Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox weren’t able to leave Chicago until approximately 3 p.m. ET for their 7:15 p.m. ET game Friday.

The Red Sox were stuck in Chicago for an extra 17 hours ahead of their game against the Mets. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

No games have been played, but the Red Sox’s series against the New York Mets is already off to a rocky start.

That’s thanks to a series of travel issues that caused a 17-hour delay from the time Boston was supposed to depart Chicago to the time it actually took off. The Red Sox should have left Illinois at 9:45 p.m. Eastern Time Thursday night, landing in New York around midnight.

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Instead, the team took off at approximately 3 p.m. ET on Friday. They’ll land around 5 p.m., making it to New York just barely in time for their 7:15 p.m. game against the Mets.

The Boston Globe‘s Tim Healey and Alex Speier reported the delay, and their sources didn’t give any specific reason for the issues, just that Boston “encountered multiple plane issues in trying to continue to New York.”

As of 4 p.m. ET, the Red Sox-Mets game will continue as scheduled at 7:15 p.m. Friday. Sonny Gray is set to take the bump for Boston, which enters Friday an undefeated 6-0 on its recent road trip.

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Boston, MA

Police investigating shooting in Downtown Crossing – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

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Police investigating shooting in Downtown Crossing – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News


BOSTON (WHDH) – Police are investigating a shooting in Downtown Crossing that occurred Thursday night.

Officials said the shooting occurred around 10:30 p.m. near Tremont and Temple Streets.

When officers arrived on scene, they found a man with a gunshot wound; he is expected to survive.

Police have not said if any arrests have been made.

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