Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is under fire for using an encrypted messaging app, Signal, to discuss the city’s response to the illegal migrant crisis. The app, which offers end-to-end encryption and auto-deletes messages, allowed Johnston and 14 of his advisors, lawyers, and appointees to communicate without public oversight. The group, referred to as the “Strike Force,” used the app to share information and manage the increasing strain on city resources caused by the influx of illegal migrants under the Biden administration.
The crisis, which saw Denver accepting over 40,000 migrants in 2023, has overwhelmed city services, leading to overcrowded shelters and escalating costs. The mayor’s office has defended the use of the app, citing the need for efficient communication among city staff, particularly as federal immigration policies shifted as Trump resumed power. A spokesperson for Johnston claimed that the “Strike Force” group was created to track and manage the rapidly developing changes resulting from federal actions, noting that the auto-deletion feature of the app retained messages for a few weeks before being disabled entirely.
The use of encrypted messaging apps by government employees has raised alarms in various states across the U.S., with instances of inappropriate use in Michigan, Maryland, Oregon, and other states. Critics argue that encrypted apps, such as Signal, allow public officials to bypass public records requests and avoid transparency, undermining government accountability. In this case, the shift to Signal came shortly after a records request by the conservative group America First Legal sought communication records related to immigration from Johnston’s office.
The controversy surrounding the use of Signal by Johnston and his staff is particularly noteworthy in the context of Denver’s sanctuary city status, which prohibits local police cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Amid increasing concerns about crime, including activities by the Tren de Aragua migrant gang, sanctuary cities and states have garnered national attention. Johnston was recently called to testify before a congressional committee alongside other sanctuary city mayors to defend local laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Johnston’s office continues to defend the use of Signal, claiming it was necessary for efficient communication during a time of crisis. However, this situation raises serious questions about transparency and the use of encryption in government communications. With a growing number of state and local officials turning to encrypted apps to handle sensitive matters, the issue of accountability remains a key concern as the debate continues to evolve.
Johnston’s use of Signal highlights the need for public officials to maintain transparency in their decision-making processes, especially when dealing with critical issues like immigration. The ongoing scrutiny of this practice suggests that the future of government communications in the digital age will likely see more debates and legal challenges over the use of encrypted apps.
READ NEXT: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s Car Stolen
