🚨 CBS Colorado investigation finds Denver Democrat Mayor Mike Johnston has directed his staff to move over to a messaging service that AUTO DELETES all their messages so Trump Admin can’t recover their conversations“Our investigation has found that Mayor Mike Johnston and about 14 of his appointees and advisors turned to an encrypted messaging app in January that automatically deleted their messages and conversations. The administration of Mayor Johnston says that they went to this encrypted messaging in auto deletion because of President Trump and his immigration policies and the way he was treating cities like Denver. Advocates for open records say that what we’ve uncovered here was an intentional evasion of Colorado public records laws”

An investigation by CBS Colorado has uncovered a startling move by Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and his inner circle. According to findings, Johnston, a Democrat, along with around 14 of his senior staff and advisors, began using a secure messaging application in January that automatically deletes messages shortly after they’re sent. This revelation has sparked widespread concern over transparency, as the decision to rely on such a tool appears to have been calculated and deliberate.

The administration’s shift to encrypted communication reportedly stemmed from heightened tensions during the Trump presidency. In particular, Mayor Johnston’s team was reportedly alarmed by federal immigration policies and the administration’s treatment of sanctuary cities, including Denver. Their decision to migrate to an auto-deleting platform was, according to sources, a protective measure to shield internal discussions from potential federal overreach or retrieval by Trump-era officials.

This approach, however, raises significant questions about government transparency and accountability. Public officials are expected to maintain records of their communications to uphold the integrity of democratic governance. The use of disappearing messages could suggest an attempt to skirt Colorado’s public records laws, which are designed to keep citizens informed about government actions and decision-making processes.

Experts and advocates for open government have criticized the practice, suggesting that the deliberate choice to use an app that erases all messages amounts to an intentional violation of open records requirements. While city leaders may argue that they acted in response to a hostile federal climate, critics believe that such actions threaten the public’s right to know and set a dangerous precedent for future administrations.

As this story develops, it underscores a broader tension between privacy, security, and transparency in public office. While it’s understandable that officials might seek secure communication during politically volatile times, the reliance on untraceable messaging systems cuts against the fundamental principle of open governance. The public will likely continue to demand answers—and perhaps new safeguards—to ensure that such practices don’t become the norm.