Watch: CNN anchor's viral reaction as Trump border czar threatens to jail mayor

CNN host Kasie Hunt expressed shock at border czar nominee Tom Homan's assertion that he would jail Democratic Denver Mayor Mike Johnston should he refuse to comply with the Trump administration's deportation plans.

In Short

• Kasie Hunt shocked by border czar Tom Homan's threat to jail Denver Mayor
• Homan criticises Mayor Johnston for opposing deportation plans
• Hunt calls Homan's rhetoric more extreme than Trump's campaign

CNN anchor Kasie Hunt expressed visible shock in response to a statement by Tom Homan, US President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for immigration czar, regarding Democratic Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.

Homan, an immigration hawk and vocal advocate for tougher border security measures, said he would be willing to jail Mayor Johnston for not complying with the incoming administration’s deportation plans. Hunt’s dramatic reaction on air to a clip of Homan making the threat went viral.

The CNN host played clips of Johnston’s remarks and Homan’s response back-to-back during a segment. Johnston had previously stated that he would be willing to go to jail to stand against any "illegal or immoral" deportation strategy.

"Yeah, I'm not afraid of that, and I'm also not seeking that," Johnston had told 9News. "I think the goal is we want to be able to negotiate with reasonable people how to solve hard problems." He also noted that he supports limited deportations for those convicted of "serious crimes."

In response, Homan had accused Johnston of potentially “breaking the law” with his resistance to deportations.

“You are absolutely breaking the law,” the soon-to-be border czar had said in a Fox News interview. “But, look, me and the Denver mayor, we agree on one thing. He’s willing to go to jail; I’m willing to put him in jail.”

After the clip of Homan’s comment, Hunt appeared to be at a loss for words. But her "ooooof", accompanied by an exaggerated eyeroll and nonplussed expression, spoke volumes.

She swiftly recovered and laid into Homan, describing his rhetoric as “more extreme” than what was heard during Trump’s election campaign.

“That has some significant and more extreme echoes than some of what we heard from the Trump campaign on the trail,” Hunt said, addressing a panel that included former Trump communications director Mike Dubke and Democratic strategist Hyma Moore.

Dubke argued that Homan’s “very strong language” might serve as a deterrent for illegal immigration, similar to strategies employed during Trump’s first term.

“Tom Homan’s very strong language is going to restrict and impede the number of people that are actually flooding the border,” he said.

When Hunt pressed him on whether such rhetoric would discourage illegal immigration, Dubke replied, “Totally discourage that... That is super important,” before claiming that the Biden administration’s “toned down” rhetoric enabled a flood of immigrants at the border.