Washington, D.C. –  U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO & Executive Director Tom Cochran today issued the following statement on Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ Attack on Chicago Today:

“It’s clear from his statement today that Attorney General Jeff Sessions doesn’t understand what it means to run a city that welcomes immigrants.  He doesn’t understand the Constitutional protections afforded to all people in our country and their impact on local policies.  He doesn’t understand the nature or the causes of crime and violence in our cities.

“The Conference of Mayors unequivocally supports Chicago’s lawsuit challenging the restrictions the Justice Department is placing on Byrne JAG funding.  We will be joining an amicus brief in support of that suit and will be inviting mayors across the nation to do so as well.

“The U.S. Conference of Mayors stands with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and deplores the attacks which the Attorney General leveled against him today and on previous days.  An assault on one mayor is an assault on all mayors.”