The congressional correspondent of The New York Times filed this report from Capitol Hill, and, quite unbelievably, the newspaper published it. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democrats aim to pin the border situation on Trump, and the report dutifully follows suit. The media echo chamber is embracing the ‘blame it on Trump’ theme.
For months, Senate Republicans have been working with Democrats on a deal they have described as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for a conservative border security bill, and for weeks, they have hinted that they are tantalizingly close to an agreement.
Their timing could not be worse.
As former President Donald J. Trump moves closer to becoming his party’s presidential nominee and Republican lawmakers consolidate behind him, he is wielding a heavier hand than any time since leaving office over his party’s agenda in Congress. His vocal opposition to the emerging border compromise has all but killed the measure’s chances in a divided Congress as he puts his own hard-line immigration policies once again at the center of his presidential campaign.
The report lacks objectivity. It fails to address the severity of the crisis and doesn’t identify whose policies have led the country into its current dire straits. It appears to be one-sided and ignores any discussion about sanctuary cities or the growing dispute between Biden and Abbott regarding razor wire.
In short, we are gobsmacked by the Times’s chutzpah for pinning the border situation on Trump. As far as laying the blame goes, the Times hit a new low by holding Trump accountable for not solving a crisis that the Democrats, led by President Biden, have allowed for three solid years to fester and cripple the nation.
What an irony that the Times and the media would attempt to shift voters’ perceptions on this issue. Americans perceive Trump as stronger on immigration than Biden by a margin of 14 points.
The numbers are astounding – and all the following happened after Trump left office on Jan 20, 2021. According to the House Committee on Homeland Security factsheet from October 2023 titled Final FY23 Numbers Show Worst Year at America’s Borders—Ever:
- Encounters at the Southwest border (SWB) in FY2023 increased over 40% since FY2021, 4% compared to FY2022, and more than 100% compared to FY2019.
- Last month (September 2023), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported a 40% increase compared to September 2021 and 18% compared to September 2022.
- There have been 7.5 million encounters nationwide and 6.2 million encounters at the Southwest border, in addition to 1.7 million known gotaways.
- In FY2023, 169 individuals whose names appear on the terrorist watchlist were stopped trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border between ports of entry. Eighteen were apprehended in September alone.
- So far in FY2023, CBP has arrested 35,433 aliens with criminal convictions or outstanding warrants nationwide, including 598 known gang members, 178 of those being MS-13 members.
- In FY2023, CBP, including Air and Marine Operations, seized 27,293 pounds of fentanyl, coming across the Southwest border—enough to kill more than 6 billion people.
So, how, pray, can Trump be responsible for the border?
In the convoluted thinking that only exists within the Beltway, Senate Democrats finally recognized that the border was an issue and began working on bipartisan legislation by teaming with Senate Republicans last October. That’s right. Around the time the House report above came about was the first time that the United States Senate began addressing the issue that had been in the making for over 34 months. And the compromise that both sides have struck after months is suddenly being derailed by, excuse us, Trump, because of his hard-line immigration stance? Rules of grammar do not allow us to add more question marks, but if this were an informal email, we would add at least a dozen.
We have been warning for years that the situation with the border is untenable. In September 2023, we warned in an editorial that illegal immigration is the Democrat’s Achilles Heel. Two weeks before the House report was published, our I&I/TIPP Poll concluded that rising voter anger over illegal immigration was a big problem for Biden and the Democrats. Our TIPP polls, including the most recent one, repeatedly show that Americans are aghast at how unbridled immigration has shaken the country’s fabric.
We have penned editorials that even sanctuary cities are detesting the invasion – although political correctness doesn’t allow them to say as much. These cities are broke. They are so broke that according to the AP, which broke a November story, the mayors of five cities – Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York – pressed to meet with President Biden about getting federal help in managing the surge of migrants they say are arriving in their cities. The AP included a letter that it says it obtained from the mayors.
On Wednesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott fired the opening salvo that could potentially lead to a constitutional crisis.
The federal government has broken the compact between the United States and the States. The Executive Branch of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting States, including immigration laws on the books right now. President Biden has refused to enforce those laws and has even violated them. The result is that he has smashed records for illegal immigration.
Abbott argues that the Biden administration’s failure to protect the border could invoke Article I of the Constitution, which prevents states from making deals with foreign governments or going to war but allows exceptions when a state is actually invaded or in immediate and unavoidable danger.
The Times story also pushed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s concerns. McConnell, who has done nothing to help stem border flows and is more interested in a border deal only so that he can send $61 billion to Ukraine, evidently “told Republicans privately that Mr. Trump’s growing influence has complicated the politics of the border, dividing Republicans against one another on an issue that once united the party.”
Trump has had nothing, zero, nada, to do with America’s border mess. This one is all on the Democrats and the RINO Republicans. Blaming Trump for not supporting a compromise after the dam has burst is irresponsible reporting. And, frankly, absurd.
TIPP Takes
Geopolitics, Geoeconomics, And More
1. ICJ Stops Short Of Gaza Ceasefire Order But Lets Genocide Case Against Israel Stand – Reuters
The World Court ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by South Africa.
While the ruling denied Palestinian hopes of a binding order to halt the war in Gaza, it also represented a legal setback for Israel, which had hoped to throw out a case brought under the genocide convention established in the ashes of the Holocaust.
2. Genocide Charge Against Israel “Outrageous,” Says PM Benjamin Netanyahu – ANI
“The charge of genocide leveled against Israel is not only false, it’s outrageous, and decent people everywhere should reject it,” the Israeli PM said in response to the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision on South Africa’s genocide claim against Israel.
He said Israel’s commitment to international law is unwavering and equally unwavering is the country’s sacred commitment to continue to defend “our country and defend our people.”
3. Biden, Qatar’s Emir Agree Hostage Deal Key To Pause In Gaza Fighting: White House – Reuters
President Joe Biden spoke with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and they agreed that efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas were key to securing a longer pause in fighting, the White House said.
“Both leaders affirmed that a hostage deal is central to establishing a prolonged humanitarian pause in the fighting and ensuring additional life-saving humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in need throughout Gaza,” the White House said.
4. Hamas Attack: U.S. Pauses UNRWA Funding Over Claims Of Staff Involvement – BBC
The U.S. is pausing funding for the UN agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, over allegations of staff involvement in the 7 October Hamas attacks.
UNRWA says it has sacked several people and ordered an investigation into information supplied by Israel. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “horrified by this news” and has called for a swift investigation.
Hamas killed 1,300 people, mostly civilians, in the unprecedented attack. Another 250 people were taken hostage.
5. Oil Tanker On Fire After Houthi Missile Attack, Firm Says – BBC
The oil tanker, Marlin Luanda, was targeted on Friday evening.
Its operator, Trafigura, said the strike caused a fire in one of the ship’s cargo tanks, and firefighting equipment was used to contain it.
U.S. officials said an anti-ship ballistic missile hit the tanker, and a naval ship was responding to its distress signal. There were no injuries reported, the U.S. officials said.
6. Kyiv, Moscow Exchange Soldiers’ Remains In Move Unrelated To Disputed Downing Of Russian Transport Plane – RFE/RL
“Another repatriation event took place, as a result of which fallen servicemen were returned to Ukraine: the remains of 77 defenders of Ukraine were returned to [Ukrainian] territory,” Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said in a statement.
Separately, Russia’s Interfax news agency said that the Ukrainian side had transferred the bodies of 55 Russian soldiers to Russia.
7. Evan Gershkovich: Russia Denies U.S. Journalist’s Appeal – D.W.
A Russian court has rejected the appeal of a Wall Street Journal reporter detained on espionage charges. Gershkovich is the first U.S. journalist to be arrested for alleged spying in decades.
The period of detention of Evan Gershkovich … is extended by two months … till March 30,” the court said. United States Consul General Stuart Wilson attended the hearing behind closed doors because authorities claimed some details in the proceedings were classified.
8. Russian Court Jails Woman For 27 Years Over Killing Of Pro-Kremlin Blogger – Al Jazeera
A Russian court has sentenced antiwar activist Darya Trepova to 27 years in prison for killing a prominent ultra-nationalist blogger in an attack that Moscow said was orchestrated by Ukraine.
In April last year, Vladlen Tatarsky was killed in a St Petersburg cafe after Trepova gave him a miniature statue rigged with explosives. As he accepted the gift, the outspoken commentator was killed on the spot.
9. Xi Hails Ties With France Amid Global Turmoil – AFP
Chinese President Xi Jinping has hailed ties with France on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties, calling for closer relations between Paris and Beijing in response to global tensions.
In a video message to a reception in Beijing, Xi said six decades of diplomatic relations had served “world peace, stability and development.”
France and China have sought to strengthen ties in recent years, with Paris’ then-top diplomat in November visiting Beijing and saying the two countries must “strive to find answers to major challenges.”
10. 33 Chinese Military Aircraft Around Taiwan In Largest Show Of Force Since Poll – AFP
More than 30 Chinese military aircraft were detected around Taiwan in a 24-hour window, Taipei’s defense ministry said, marking the largest show of force around the island since it held crucial elections.
Two Chinese balloons were also detected crossing the sensitive Taiwan Strait.
The show of force came after two U.S. lawmakers visited Taipei to meet president-elect Lai Ching-te and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim, whom Beijing criticized as an “independence duo.”
11. China Plagued By Growing Burden Of Corporate Bond Repayments – Nikkei Asia
Chinese companies are having a tough time paying off debt, with corporate bonds due to mature in 2024 hitting a record high of 6.8 trillion yuan ($945.53 billion), up about 20% from last year.
In particular, the burden on local government financial vehicles (LGFVs) is growing due to reckless fundraising practices. The longer the debt problem remains due to government support, the greater the risk China’s financial system will face, and the longer its economic stagnation will persist.
12. China Stimulus Measures Greeted With Skepticism By Foreign Investors – Nikkei Asia
A series of collaborative measures rolled out this week by Beijing and Hong Kong officials to boost Asia’s worst-performing markets appears to have done little toward persuading foreign investors to return.
Investors from well-known global institutions and local star firms gathered in Hong Kong this week to cast doubts on how effective the policies would be. So far, key concerns such as China’s property crisis and low confidence appear unaddressed.
13. China Tests New Ethnic Assimilation Policy On Uyghurs – RFA
Northwest China’s Xinjiang region is the first area to implement a government policy promoting integration among ethnic groups to achieve President Xi Jinping’s goal of establishing a unified national identity, Chinese media reported.
The regulation calls for creating mixed housing, themed venues, and cultural parks, and sports and cultural activities that highlight characteristics of Chinese culture and promote Zhonghua minzu. This single Chinese nationality transcends ethnic divisions.
14. EU Council Chief Won’t Run In European Parliament Elections, Easing Fears Of Orban Option – Reuters
EU Council President Charles Michel said he won’t seek a seat in the European Parliament and will instead remain in his job.
Michel had downplayed criticism of his plan to resign early to run for parliament in June, saying there was enough time to choose his successor and that the EU had options to “avoid Viktor Orban.” As Hungary holds the rotating presidency of the Council from July to December 2024, Prime Minister Orban could have ended up leading meetings if an interim successor were needed.
15. U.S. Approves F-16 Fighter Jet Sale To Turkey Worth $23bn – BBC
The U.S. government has approved the $23 billion sale of 40 new F-16 fighter jets to Turkey – a move that had been long delayed – after Ankara ratified Sweden’s accession to NATO.
The U.S. State Department told Congress it had also approved the sale of 40 F-35 fighters to Greece, costing $8.6bn. Turkey ratified Sweden’s NATO accession after more than a year of delay that caused tension in the alliance.
16. ECB Keeps Key Eurozone Interest Rates Steady – D.W.
The European Central Bank (ECB) kept its key interest rates on hold for a third month without signaling a potential pivot towards reduced rates.
While inflation is easing in much of Europe, it still exceeds the ECB’s 2% target. The main refinancing operations rate charged on regular loans to commercial lenders will stay at 4.5%. Raising interest is seen as a tool to combat inflation because it discourages borrowing and spending.
17. Record 87% Of Japanese “Do Not Feel Friendly” Toward China: Survey – Kyodo News
The annual poll by the Japanese government followed China’s total ban on marine products shipped from Japan that was imposed last August in response to the discharge into the sea of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.
The record figure, up from 81.8 percent in the previous survey, was the highest since the question was added in 1978 to the annual diplomatic surveys conducted by the Cabinet Office.
18. U.S. Officials Warn Of Possible N.K. ‘Lethal’ Military Action Against S. Korea In Coming Months: NYT – Yonhap
The U.S. officials made the assessment, noting that Kim’s tough rhetoric against the South has been more aggressive than his previous statements and should be taken “seriously, ” The New York Times reported.
“While the officials added that they did not see an imminent risk of a full-scale war on the Korean Peninsula, Mr. Kim could carry out strikes in a way that he thinks would avoid rapid escalation,” the article read.
19. Unexplained Weight Loss Can Be One Of The First Signs Of Cancer, New Study Finds. – Yahoo Life
The research raises questions about significant weight loss without changes to diet, exercise, or lifestyle, as well as when people should seek medical care.
Experts stress that unexplained weight loss doesn’t always signal that something is off with your health — but it can be an indicator.
The study, published in JAMA, found that recent weight loss was linked with a significantly higher rate of being diagnosed with cancer over the next 12 months compared with people without recent weight loss.
20. Probiotics Might Help Dogs Lose Weight, Study Finds – UPI Health
Researchers identified two strains of probiotics that helped obese canines shed pounds.
“The strains we carefully selected demonstrated remarkable success in reducing the body fat percentage in dogs,” said principal researcher Younghoon Kim, a professor of agricultural biotechnology at Seoul National University in Korea.
Although about half of all canines are obese, the researchers said the condition occurs more often in older dogs, so they scrutinized differences in the gut microbiomes of young and old dogs.
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Republished with permission from TIPP Insights
