Aurora Mayor John Laesch is facing criticism following the release of a politically charged email sent to the leadership of the Aurora Police Department. The email, which KCS received from an anonymous whistleblower (shown in image below), includes references to Marxist-Leninist ideology and links to a radical publication, has raised concerns about the mayor’s priorities and the future of public safety in the city, as well as his mental health and ability to serve the citizens in Kane County, and in particular, Aurora.
In the email, Laesch asserts that police departments have “historically been on the wrong side of history,” and urges law enforcement to shift their focus from defending property to supporting “the worker.” He links to a
2020 article from WorkersWorld.org — a site affiliated with the Workers World Party, a revolutionary socialist organization — titled “The cops are the enemy,” which condemns police institutions as protectors of capitalist interests.
Laesch’s message also predicts a coming shift in “solidarity,” a term rooted in Marxist theory, and calls on police leadership to “lead in the soon to be painful transformation.” One passage from Laesch reads:
“As government continues to disintegrate, from the top down, we have an opportunity to reinvent the ways we find food, water, shelter and protection.”
The vague and unsettling language has drawn criticism from community members and officials, who say the mayor’s rhetoric is alarmist and disconnected from the practical needs of Aurora residents.
Since the release of the email, it is purported that has ordered the layoff of 60 police officers ahead of further protests — a move that has intensified concerns about public safety and the stability of the city’s law enforcement infrastructure.
The mayor also invoked the term “fascism” without context or explanation, prompting comparisons to Cold War-era political tactics. Some observers have likened the messaging to the strategies described in Bella Dodd’s memoir The Devil and Bella Dodd, where ideological language was used to mobilize unrest.
Community leaders and residents have responded by rallying in support of the Aurora Police Department, calling for a renewed focus on pragmatic governance and public safety. Many view the mayor’s email and subsequent actions as a troubling departure from the responsibilities of elected office. Further, it is a direct attack against the brave warriors of the Aurora Police Department who enrolled to serve and protect Aurora and its citizens.
As the city grapples with the implications of Laesch’s message and the police layoffs, questions remain about the mayor’s long-term vision and the impact of his ideological stance on Aurora’s future. Laesch's craving to turn Aurora into Portland, Oregon shouldn't happen to Aurora.
State's Attorney Jamie Mosser, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, United States Attorney General Pam Bondi and United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem need to be aware and use all efforts to protect the citizens and residents of Aurora.
