On Monday’s broadcast of Chris Jansing Reports on MS NOW, former Ohio Governor John Kasich said a growing number of Republicans are speaking out against President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policies.
During the interview, Kasich expressed concern about the impact of immigration enforcement on children and families, warning that aggressive tactics could cause lasting harm.
“Think about these children. This PTSD is real,” Kasich said. “You get law enforcement grabbing that kid and shipping them out. Think about how that affects his life later on.”
He also invoked religious themes, arguing that faith communities should take a stronger stand on immigration issues.
“Jesus himself was an immigrant,” Kasich said. “He fled to Egypt. And when it was safe, he came back. You would hope the Christian community, the Jewish community, the Muslim community, all these communities of faith would speak out.”
Kasich referenced comments from religious leaders and said many are beginning to criticize what he described as harsh enforcement practices.
“You saw what Pope Leo had to say about how terrible this was,” he said. “But when you have some fixated goal, you just go scoop people up?”
Kasich argued that public opinion is shifting and that more Americans are rejecting aggressive deportation efforts.
“I believe that the American people are speaking now,” he said.
He also warned that the issue could lead to unrest if not handled carefully.
“They’re really going to set the country on fire,” Kasich said. “They come from Minneapolis to Ohio. I’m hoping they will do this the right way.”
Kasich called for leadership from elected officials and community leaders, including state officials and faith groups, to keep protests peaceful.
“It has to be leadership from all the state officials, including the vice president and the faith community,” he said. “But no violence. We can’t have violence.”
He stressed that demonstrations must remain orderly to avoid deepening political divisions.
“If we’re going to protest, it has to be done orderly,” Kasich said. “Otherwise, politics will take over. Republicans will side with one side and Democrats won’t.”
Kasich concluded by saying opposition to the current immigration approach is growing across party lines.
“Right now, Democrats, Independents, and growing numbers of Republicans are saying enough,” he said. “That is not the America that we believe in.”
