Democrats seem determined to undermine homeland security – now defunding DHS, which includes a wide swath of federal law enforcement. The potential for national disruption is high. Democrats target ICE enforcement of administrative warrants and deportation orders, but most Americans want rule of law.
In a credible February poll, 73 percent of Americans think entering the US illegally is “breaking the law,” 61 percent support “deporting” illegal aliens – 95 percent of Republicans, 64 percent of swing voters – and 58 percent reject Democrat calls to “defund ICE,” with 54 percent expressly supporting ICE.
In states like Maine, a Democrat-dominated “sanctuary” state, citizens support ICE, 84 percent in one poll supporting ICE across the state. Yet Democrats persist.
Democrats are now blocking all DHS funding – including for ICE, Customs and Border Patrol, Transportation Security Administration, US Secret Service, US Coast Guard, FEMA, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, National Infrastructure Protection Center, National Infrastructure Advisory Council – which advises the president on national cybersecurity threats.
While “essential personnel” continue to work unpaid, Democrats have adopted a lose-lose posture. They seem content to allow threats to proliferate as and if manning falls, to attack federal law enforcement – ICE – which has public support.
As of Monday, February 16, the Associated Press is reporting neither congressional Democrats nor the White House see “signs of compromise … in their battle” over ICE, which has now triggered another indefinite “partial government shutdown.”
“Democrats are demanding changes to how immigration operations are conducted,” while Republicans support traditional enforcement of longstanding immigration laws, and “both sides appear dug into their positions.”
With Democrats attacking ICE, 6000 agents seeking to root out 19 million foreigners illegally in the US – many with felony records – stakes are high.
Stakes are made higher by Democrat denial of funds for other vital agencies, TSA, FEMA, USCG, Secret Service, CBP and those battling cyberthreats. If any harm comes to Americans from this denial, Democrats will own those tragedies.
In short, the dispute has Democrats seeking policies that allow the public to “dox” or identify agents, block administrative warrants, disrupt operations, trail individual agents, and harass agents following established constitutional process.
Said White House Border Czar Tom Homan, “These men and women have to protect themselves.” Perhaps the larger issue is the protection that all Americans deserve, including protection by all the listed agencies and protection day-to-day from millions of illegal aliens still free and committing crimes across the US.
For all the brouhaha by protestors in Minnesota, Maine and elsewhere – paid and unpaid, peaceful and violent – the big issue is overwhelming interest by Americans in protecting the border and deporting illegal aliens, admitted by the millions under Biden and in need of swift removal. Democrats just do not get it. Viewed through the lens of average Americans, Democrats – as they did on Title IX – misgauge what people want. Most Americans want illegal aliens to be deported, civilly but swiftly, their impact unsustainable. Most want rule of law.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!
