Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is hoping for the best during a Trump presidency, saying that some of his policies may work well for big cities but is troubled by the president-elect’s policies on immigration.
“A number of the things he said on election night have been very reassuring,” Duggan said during a panel discussion today at the North American International Auto Show, joined by the mayors of Chicago, Atlanta and Columbus. “He says he is going to go after crime…and we could all use extra help on the federal level.”
On election night, President-Elect Trump stated in his victory speech that he will 'fix our inner cities and rebuild our highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, hospitals" and "rebuild our infrastructure," something Duggan is supportive of.
But after sharing a story of his family’s history in Detroit – Duggan’s grandfather was an Irish immigrant – the mayor pulled back, saying “I hope that the tone does not discourage that type of cooperation.”
During Duggan’s term, the mayor has been in favor of immigration, as evidenced by vocal support of welcoming Syrian refugees to a more recent initiative to allow residents to carry municipal identification. But the reality is, he says, many Democratic mayors must work under Republican policies.
“Mayors are the least partisan politicians,” he says. “We are working across party lines and have been for years. I work well with the Republican governor, and I’m hoping to work well with the Republican president.”
Duggan’s comments come at a crucial time, as his tenure ends as President-Elect Trump’s begins. Whether working well with the new administration over the next four years is a signal that Duggan planning to stay in the mayor’s chair remains to be seen, as the mayor has not indicated whether he will pursue re-election.
