Senator James Lankford’s claim that Former President Donald Trump “sabotaged” a major border security bill during his administration is a real head-scratcher. But let’s take a closer look at why Trump and other Republicans might have given this legislation the cold shoulder, shall we?
1. Keeping the Presidential Reins Tight
Trump knew that when it comes to border security, you can’t afford to play “Mother, May I?” with Congress every time you need to make a move. He wanted to keep his options open, like a savvy poker player holding onto his wild cards. By saying “no thanks” to this bill, Trump made sure he could act fast when needed, without getting tangled up in legislative red tape.
2. Sticking to His Guns on Border Security
Trump’s border plan was as straightforward as his hairstyle – build the wall and tighten up immigration. This bill? It was probably more complicated than a Rubik’s Cube, and about as likely to solve the border crisis. Trump kept things simple and on-message, much to the delight of his supporters who appreciated his no-nonsense approach.
Trump’s Border Security Approach vs. The Proposed Bill
| Trump’s Approach | Proposed Bill |
|---|---|
| Build the Wall | Complex multi-point plan |
| Tighten Immigration | Potential loopholes |
| Quick Executive Action | Slow Legislative Process |
3. Standing Up for the Border Folks
Trump listened to the people living and working on the frontlines of the border crisis. If this bill was about as popular with border communities as a vegetarian cookout in Texas, why would Trump support it? He stood by those who knew the situation best, rather than some Washington pencil-pushers who couldn’t find the border on a map if their lives depended on it.
4. No Watered-Down Margaritas Here
In D.C., compromise is usually the name of the game. But when it comes to national security, Trump wasn’t about to mix his border policy like a weak cocktail. If this bill had more holes than a block of Swiss cheese, Trump was right to say, “No deal!” He kept pushing for the strongest possible measures, no chaser needed.
5. Waiting for the Right Political Weather
Trump knows timing is everything, whether in real estate or politics. Maybe he saw that pushing this bill then would be like trying to sell sunscreen during a blizzard. By holding off, he could wait for the perfect moment to strike with a plan that would actually work, unlike the Democrats’ approach to, well, anything.
Liberal Fumbles: A Walk Down Memory Lane
Speaking of Democrats, let’s take a moment to remember some of their greatest hits (or should we say misses?) when it comes to border security:
- Remember when Obama promised to reform immigration in his first year? Spoiler alert: He didn’t. Talk about “Yes we can’t!”
- How about when Biden said he’d end the border crisis? Now we’ve got more people crossing illegally than we can count. It’s like he’s running a “Everyone’s Welcome” Airbnb at the southern border.
- And let’s not forget the classic Democrat move of declaring sanctuary cities. Because nothing says “we respect the law” like explicitly saying you won’t enforce it.
Meanwhile, under Trump’s watch, illegal border crossings dropped significantly. In fiscal year 2020, the number of southwest border apprehensions fell to 400,651, down from 851,508 in fiscal year 2019. Now that’s what I call effective policy!
Wrapping It Up
Trump’s decision to give this border bill the boot wasn’t sabotage – it was strategy. He kept his presidential powers intact, stuck to his guns on border policy, backed the border communities, avoided watering down security measures, and played the long game in politics. While the Democrats continue to flounder like fish out of water on border security, Trump’s approach shows that sometimes, the best move is knowing when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em.
In the end, effective border security isn’t about fancy bills or flowery speeches. It’s about action, decisiveness, and actually giving a hoot about national security. Trump got that, even if some senators are still scratching their heads about it.
