Governor Josh Shapiro of Abington Township poked fun at the Trump administration’s posting and subsequent removal of a list of sanctuary jurisdictions, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported today.

The list—which included Montgomery County—has been absent from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website since the weekend. It named cities, counties, and states that are “deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws and endangering American citizens.” 

“These guys don’t know how to govern,” Shapiro said on Wednesday while announcing a lawsuit against the Department of Agriculture. He reportedly described his leadership style as “calm” and said that the current federal government “injects chaos,” The Inquirer said.

A spokesperson for the White House on Wednesday said that Shapiro should “work with the Trump administration to implement the policies Pennsylvanians voted for … instead of embracing dangerous sanctuary policies that put communities at risk.”

In a statement Monday, the DHS said “the list is being constantly reviewed and can be changed at any time and will be updated regularly.” The initial announcement on May 29 said “Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its non-compliance and all potential violations of federal criminal statutes. DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.”

The Inquirer noted that rural and Republican-led Adams County was named in the list, and that officials from the two other GOP-led rural counties, Montour and Clarion, said last week that they believed they were included by mistake.

“I don’t know if ChatGPT wasn’t working that day or what,” Shapiro said. “These guys are like ‘The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight.’”

The Inquirer published a story yesterday chronicling ICE agents’ arrests of nearly 20 immigrants in Norristown over the last two weeks. According to their coverage, families planned to ask Montgomery County commissioners during a 10:00am meeting this morning that a newly hired immigration-affairs director become an active voice of support for undocumented people.

Activists have also planned a “Montco Stands With Immigrants” rally for noon Saturday at West Marshall and George Streets in Norristown.

In related news, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, a former County Commissioner and resident of Springfield Township (Montgomery County), addressed the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to Medicaid during an appearance at Union Community Care in Lancaster.

“All of us know someone – whether its ourselves, a friend, loved one, or a neighbor – who Medicaid has helped. But no matter how you personally get your health care coverage, Medicaid is vital to protecting the health of your community,” said Secretary Arkoosh. “Congressional Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid would be devastating not only for those who would lose their health coverage, but for all of us who would face the real life consequences of crowded emergency departments, increases in the cost of health insurance, and the catastrophic effects on economies and health systems in rural areas. These cuts will create a public health crisis for our Commonwealth, and I am encouraging all Pennsylvanians to contact their federal representatives and urge them to protect this program that is the backbone of our health system and a lifeline for our communities.”

Shapiro made a similar statement last month regarding the proposed cuts. He appointed Dr. Arkoosh in 2023.

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Governor Josh Shapiro of Abington Township poked fun at the Trump administration’s posting and subsequent removal of a list of sanctuary jurisdictions, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported today.

The list—which included Montgomery County—has been absent from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website since the weekend. It named cities, counties, and states that are “deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws and endangering American citizens.” 

“These guys don’t know how to govern,” Shapiro said on Wednesday while announcing a lawsuit against the Department of Agriculture. He reportedly described his leadership style as “calm” and said that the current federal government “injects chaos,” The Inquirer said.

A spokesperson for the White House on Wednesday said that Shapiro should “work with the Trump administration to implement the policies Pennsylvanians voted for … instead of embracing dangerous sanctuary policies that put communities at risk.”

In a statement Monday, the DHS said “the list is being constantly reviewed and can be changed at any time and will be updated regularly.” The initial announcement on May 29 said “Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its non-compliance and all potential violations of federal criminal statutes. DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.”

The Inquirer noted that rural and Republican-led Adams County was named in the list, and that officials from the two other GOP-led rural counties, Montour and Clarion, said last week that they believed they were included by mistake.

“I don’t know if ChatGPT wasn’t working that day or what,” Shapiro said. “These guys are like ‘The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight.’”

The Inquirer published a story yesterday chronicling ICE agents’ arrests of nearly 20 immigrants in Norristown over the last two weeks. According to their coverage, families planned to ask Montgomery County commissioners during a 10:00am meeting this morning that a newly hired immigration-affairs director become an active voice of support for undocumented people.

Activists have also planned a “Montco Stands With Immigrants” rally for noon Saturday at West Marshall and George Streets in Norristown.

In related news, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, a former County Commissioner and resident of Springfield Township (Montgomery County), addressed the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to Medicaid during an appearance at Union Community Care in Lancaster.

“All of us know someone – whether its ourselves, a friend, loved one, or a neighbor – who Medicaid has helped. But no matter how you personally get your health care coverage, Medicaid is vital to protecting the health of your community,” said Secretary Arkoosh. “Congressional Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid would be devastating not only for those who would lose their health coverage, but for all of us who would face the real life consequences of crowded emergency departments, increases in the cost of health insurance, and the catastrophic effects on economies and health systems in rural areas. These cuts will create a public health crisis for our Commonwealth, and I am encouraging all Pennsylvanians to contact their federal representatives and urge them to protect this program that is the backbone of our health system and a lifeline for our communities.”

Shapiro made a similar statement last month regarding the proposed cuts. He appointed Dr. Arkoosh in 2023.

Photo: Getty Images