I don't need more reasons to detest Donald Trump. He's given me plenty already during his disastrous appearances on the nation's political stage.
But there's always a new disturbing Trump outrage that adds fuel to my Trump-hating fire. At the moment my gripe is with how Trump has inserted himself into negotiations in the Senate about a border deal that reportedly would give Republicans much of what they've been wanting.
Stricter rules for individuals seeking asylum. Tightening security at the border. Not allowing whole groups of people, such as Afghans who helped us there, to be eligible to enter our country through "parole."
Democrats have been freaking out about how many progressive policy priorities would be undone by the Senate bill, though the details of the proposed legislation haven't been released yet. So you'd think that Republicans would be eager to celebrate a victory over Biden and Democrats.
Nope. Not happening right now. Why? Because Trump has told Congressional Republicans that it would be better for his presidential campaign if problems at the border weren't resolved, because then he could keep on blaming Biden for them.
That is disgusting. Sick. Abhorrent. Unpatriotic. Here we have a previous president, who wants to be president again, openly admitting that he cares more about his election chances than what is best for the country.
Worse, Republicans have demanded that much-needed aid to Ukraine, which is running dangerously low on weapons needed to fight the unprovoked Russian invasion, be tied to increased border security. You know, "We won't give money to Ukraine to secure its border until our border with Mexico is strengthened."
Democrats didn't like this, but went along with that demand. But here again, Republicans are refusing to take yes for an answer because Trump has commanded his obedient political servants to not do anything to secure our border that would give Biden a win.
Again, disgusting. A border bill would be a win for the United States, assuming it doesn't tilt completely rightward and preserves essential protections for would-be immigrants and asylum seekers.
Yesterday the Senate border bill appeared to be doomed when McConnell, the Republican leader, told his caucus that Trump was demanding that the bill never see the light of day. Today, though, prospects for a border bill brightened somewhat.
I just hope that congressional Republicans grow a spine and find the courage to stand up to Trump. How they can live with themselves is beyond me. Voters elected them to solve our nation's problems, not be a Trump ass-kisser.
Some quotes from a Politico story describe the tensions among Republicans.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said during a private meeting Thursday that he still supports a border security deal linked to Ukraine aid, according to GOP senators who attended — delivering a crucial boost to talks that are getting more complicated by the minute.
McConnell has spent the past few months singularly focused on getting billions of new dollars to Ukraine, so normally such a pledge would not be earth-shaking. Yet some Republicans woke up Thursday wondering if their bid to link stricter immigration policy to foreign aid was still viable, after McConnell on Wednesday delivered a candid assessment of the challenges posed by former President Donald Trump’s dominance in the presidential primary.
At the tail end of the Senate GOP's last meeting of the week, however, McConnell removed any doubts: He is still forcefully pushing a deal that would pair new border and immigration restrictions with money for Ukraine. It’s a critical piece of McConnell’s legacy — and the GOP leader isn’t letting go at this late stage in the game.
...McConnell reminded Republicans on Wednesday of Trump’s desire to avoid any dealmaking on the border before the election. That in itself is a change from when Trump, during his presidency, asked congressional Republicans for some of the same new border restrictions that are now on the table — asylum reform and expulsion authority.
McConnell’s allies insist immigration policy changes now would help any incoming president, whether it’s Trump or someone else. But conservatives and Trump allies believe a border deal might help President Joe Biden win reelection, giving the incumbent a reason to tout progress on an issue where the GOP has an advantage with voters.
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), the party's lead negotiator on a border deal, said he’s sure McConnell still supports his work and described the confusion over Wednesday’s meeting as a “momentary drama.”
Still, there’s no doubt that conservatives are gearing up to try and kill any deal, using their own sway and potentially Trump’s massive heft in the party. Yet Republicans on Thursday left Washington with the view that McConnell is ready to confront both challenges.
Comments