Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin did not whisper when it came to criticizing one of President Donald Trump’s signature campaign promises following his re-entry into the White House.

Woodfin’s critique of Trump’s pledge to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and other activities has garnered national attention.

Woodfin appeared on “CNN This Morning” last Thursday where he detailed his disapproval of the new administration’s policies.

“Americans are witnessing the ‘Alabamafication’ of federal government,” Woodfin told the anchor. “We’ve seen in Alabama, legislators create laws to get rid of DEI and the governor sign into law removing DEI from colleges and universities and other aspects throughout the state.”

While Woodfin’s comments made political news and social media waves around the country, some in Birmingham question whether the city will be penalized for the passion expressed by its mayor.

The mayor compared Trump’s executive order to Alabama legislation approved last year that banned all DEI programs at public universities.

“It’s beyond frustrating and disappointing,” Woodfin said. “It just goes to show us that ‘47′ told us what he would do, and he’s doing it.”

Woodfin, who is also promoting his new memoir, “Son of Birmingham,” has made several national media appearances recently.

Birmingham activist Kamau Afrika, who is challenging Woodfin in the August mayoral race, compared Woodfin’s action to poking a grizzly bear.

“If I were mayor of any city dependent on regular federal funds for needed projects, I’d humble myself so as not to create a further ‘Dodge City’ or ‘Mad Max’ environment in my city,” Afrika said. “Selling a book is one thing, but at the risk of safety is another.”

Afrika said the mayor should spend more effort focusing on the city’s crime rate and securing more police officers. Afrika further noted that the city of Birmingham is a political island in a state that heavily supported Trump and votes solidly Republican in national elections.

Woodfin said the current climate has made the words diversity, equity, and inclusion bad words.

“There’s no such thing as going too far as it relates to being inclusive,” he said. “There’s no such thing as going too far as it relates to equity.”

Woodfin’s comments created a firestorm in both mainstream, right wing and social media, unleashing a torrent of criticism from Trump supporters.

Woodfin was free in offering his perspective on the national scene, but his spokesman, Rick Journey, declined to comment to AL.com Tuesday when asked about any ramifications from the mayor’s criticisms.

Afrika also warned that some of Birmingham’s progressive policies under Woodfin contradict the national narrative.

As mayor Afrika said he would seek to work with the new administration where consensus could be reached. Failure to do so could have consequences, he said.

“Any mayor in a sanctuary and LGBQIA city in a red sea state must be wise, bridled tongue, non-egotistical, a good listener and non-flamboyant,” Afrika said. “When one’s head is in the lion’s mouth, forget the bite.”

Birmingham did not officially designate itself as a ‘sanctuary city,’ but Woodfin has described it as a ‘welcoming city.’

State Rep. Juandalynn Givan, who is also a candidate for mayor in the August 26 election, said she forecasts challenges for Birmingham at the federal level, but more so because of the city’s shrinking size and status.

“The realization is that Birmingham is going to have more of a problem because Birmingham is no longer the largest city in the state of Alabama,” Givan said. “Right now, most of this money that was going to come to Bham is going to go to Huntsville.”

Regarding a Republican administration in Washington, Givan touted her ability to work across the political aisle in Montgomery as a legislator to sponsor and pass legislation.

“You can say people don’t like me, but check the record,” she said. “I know how to figure out a balance with anybody in leadership whether they be Republican or Democrat.”

Givan dismissed Woodfin’s high-profile appearance and political criticism as an attention-grabbing sideshow.

“It’s the optics of what this mayor wants to show you,” she said.

Woodfin’s comments are risky in the current political climate, said Natalie Davis, professor emerita of political science at the former Birmingham-Southern College. How much of Trump’s ire he might attract is yet to be determined, she said.

“It just depends upon how many other people are ahead of Woodfin in criticizing the reelected president,” Davis said. “Does it hurt the city of Birmingham in terms of money coming in? It’s hard to say until we hear some nasty things coming out of the administration.”

With Birmingham being heavily Democratic, Davis discounted any local political damage from his comments as Woodfin seeks a third term as mayor.

When it comes to offending the president, Davis quipped that Republicans walk an even tighter rope than Democrats, because Trump’s antipathy toward Democratic-run governments is already clear.

“I don’t think the Democrats have as much to worry about in terms of alienating the president as much as Republicans do,” Davis said. “He hates them, so it doesn’t make any difference.”