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Jim Corcoran's avatar

“…the political version of Kaiba’s defeat…” that’s the type of bold, unapologetic appeal to cool millennial kids that America needs. Great piece Joe. I think it’s time to make a “Press Pass Podcast” happen.

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Jeff's avatar

I'm with you Jim. Joe's work has been great and so well written. At the very least I want Joe on the Focus Group with Sarah!

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Kathe Rich's avatar

He was on with her about 2 months agao.

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Jeff's avatar

Thanks! I must have missed that week :)

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Terry Hilldale's avatar

I don't think we need any more podcasts. There are way too many already. It seems like everybody has a podcast.

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Dave Yell's avatar

I am in favor of that! Joe is our eyes and ears on congress Keep it up!

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Forrest's avatar

As a Gen Z er, I'm grossed out that this sort of cruelty to immigrants who want to become Americans has been dismissed with a Yu-Gi-Oh meme.

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Jim Corcoran's avatar

I don’t think the intent was to trivialize how poorly immigrants are treated, but rather to illustrate how Congressional reps in both parties are fundamentally out of position to respond to the policy change and are therefore “blown away”. I agree that immigrants are treated horribly in our culture and legal system, and that has to change writ large, but continuing to allow for border crossings at this magnitude is unsustainable and needs to be addressed.

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Forrest's avatar

Maybe we could address it by making it easier for refugees to immigrate legally, instead of harder. Just a thought.

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rlritt's avatar

That's odd. I live in CA and there a lot immigrants and they seem pretty happy. They're migrant workers that don't have a great deal,but they come for the money. When I lived in France it was impossible to get residency as an American. Then I married a French person, it was still a tremendous amount of time and paper work. And vice versa. People from 3rd world nations have a much easier time.

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Forrest's avatar

Maybe we should not have so many barriers to legal immigration. Maybe we should make it easier to immigrate, not harder.

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rlritt's avatar

Maybe, But no country does that.

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Forrest's avatar

We're the United States of America. We're supposed to be the best country in the world. I refuse to match my standards to the rest of the world. We are the shining city on the hill. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door! 🗽🇺🇲

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Kathy Balles's avatar

You know what would really improve the country? Deport two MAGAs for every immigrant we take in. A girl can dream, can’t she?

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rlritt's avatar

That was true at one time, but today a huge influence immigrants lowers wages for everyone and consequently the standard of living. That is why immigration was easier earlier in the country too few people for the work that needed to be done. Now, with automation, the for unskilled labor is less.

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Forrest's avatar

Yeah, no. The unemployment rate has been below 4% for three years. The economy needs more workers, not fewer.

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Fake American's avatar

And it will only get worse as more boomers retire.

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rlritt's avatar

True but low unemployment increases wages and thats good in the short term so wages keep up with inflation, which is going down.

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max skinner's avatar

There is work to be done. For example, maintaining and harvesting strawberry fields is not work that most people want to do. During Covid farmers had a hard time finding anyone to do this work.

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rlritt's avatar

That's true, but Trump and his minions are running on foreigners stealing over the border in droves. They don't talk about how low unemployment causes wages to rise (especially if you have to pay citizens minimum wage) All they talk about is inflation. Sadly this happens due to poor education, right wing propaganda passing as News, and silly anti Biden politicians who know better. Low unemployment = higher wages = higher prices.

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Terry Hilldale's avatar

Immigrants are NOT lowering the standard of living for the rest of us. And the immigrants who come illegally all work (almost by definition) in this environment of full employment for the rest of us. Clearly we need their labor. There should be a path to some sort of legal status for them.

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rlritt's avatar

You don't understand. They are not coming here to be citizens. They are here unlawfully. If they want to become citizens they need to apply for legal residency.

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Forrest's avatar

Yeah, and wait 12 years? Half my lifetime? That's bullshit and you know it.

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Judson Snell's avatar

Have you checked what the immigration policies are with countries that aren't the United States? We're not a country club.

If the bipartisan immigration deal hadn't been torpedoed by Orange Julius, asylum claims could be processed more quickly. But again, as a US citizen I can't simply fly into Montenegro or Sweden or even Russia and simply assume I can just go start passing out my resume.

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Forrest's avatar

Fuck Montenegro, fuck Sweden, fuck Russia. This is the United States of America. Those bullshit countries can do whatever they want, but this is the shining city on the hill. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door! 🗽🇺🇲

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Judson Snell's avatar

Okay, but when the tempest-tost get here, they have to come in legally. We need to work on that process - it's been intentionally hamstrung to frustrate both parties and immigrants. So let's fix it. But we can't simply leave the velvet rope unchecked in the meantime.

Oh, and don't say mean things about Sweden.

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Forrest's avatar

So, again, why not declare the national emergency and issue an executive order that makes it easier to immigrate legally?

Why is the default always to make immigration harder?

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Terry Hilldale's avatar

AND, if the country REALLY wanted to stop illegal immigration, law enforcement would go after the criminal employers breaking the law by hiring them. No employers, no jobs, no illegal immigration. Easy peasy. And why not? Because America needs their labor. However it is always preferable to kick down than up, amirite?

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rlritt's avatar

No of course not. Unfettered immigration lowers the standard of living for most people except the very wealthy who less for workers.

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Forrest's avatar

Maybe that would be true if the labor market was competitive. But it isn't. The unemployment rate has been below 4% for years now. We need more workers, not fewer.

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Jessica Joy's avatar

I would like to throw something out there for you. Just like the bipartisan border bill,Biden knew it wasn't going to go thru and the media is still letting Republicans say the border is open blah blah blah. So President Biden did this knowing he would be sued and stopped by the ACLU. He's playing 3D chess. He has turned it around on them. Like he always does. When we get the House back,there will be a bill that will do what you want including the Dreamers. Go back and look at how successful Biden has played MAGA and Trump. He's a good man and president who wants best for this country and the people. He knows how to get it done. Be patient and vote Blue up and down the ballot.

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Forrest's avatar

If this is true, it's a silly gambit for essentially no purpose, that risks hurting many innocent people.

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Jessica Joy's avatar

It's not going to happen. That's the point

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Michael's avatar

Hopefully you’re more grossed out by how Trump plans to actually treat them.

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Forrest's avatar

Yes, that is why I am a Biden state elector. But I don't like that Biden is choosing to make it harder for more people to become Americans.

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rlritt's avatar

What would be best for the world is if immigrants from desperately poor countries ruled immoral ductatotoers were helped first world nations. I'm sure people would prefer to stay in their own countries, and take care of their families. Unfortunately these countries are ruled by selfish exploiting regimes that such cause havoc that most of the people are either enslaved or starving.

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Terry Hilldale's avatar

Sure, and Kamala Harris' "Border Czar" mandate is all about working with their home countries to alleviate the conditions that create such desperation.

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Forrest's avatar

We can help people by allowing them entry to our country. There is literally no downside to this. It is the right thing to do, both morally and economically.

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Walter Chuck's avatar

It would be great to have Joe on more podcasts. "We want him on that Hill, We need him on that Hill."

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Linda Hoffman's avatar

All hail and hallelujah for Merrick Garland!! Way to bring some truth to the clowns who don’t even deserve to have the benefit of his clear-headed rebuke. Dr Fauci served up a bit yesterday and now they had a second helping today. Maybe if they can have a generous heaping dose every day they might start to… oh what am I thinking? At least I can have a bit of satisfaction. Keep on showing what integrity looks like! ❤️

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howard's avatar

the utter corruption outlined by propublica's findings is a great demonstration of where the gop is at today: not a single gop elected has even bothered to comment.

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Marc Fleischaker's avatar

Excellent report, Joe. It’s good to see AG Garland push back a little.

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E. A. Bare's avatar

Good article but I was waiting for something about Anthony Fauci and who invited the two thugs to sit behind him during the hearing.

Also MTG busily showing her ass once again.

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Al Brown's avatar

I think that was her face. Hard to tell, though.

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Dave Yell's avatar

jawbone of an ass

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Chima's avatar

Reading Senator Padilla's response I was thinking I hope this not one of those guys who complains proposals are not perfect but doesn't have the stones to make his own suggestions for a solution. But a quick search shows his position and bill he sponsored which seems more geared toward pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, asylum seekers and kids of H1-B visa holders. I respect that he has a proposal and is not just empty words however I don't think his plan address the influx of people seeking asylum which is a big part of the issue.

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Migs's avatar

Yep and unfortunately there is absolutely no chance that immigration bill will increase any type or form of immigration. That’s why nothing will get done. They did and could negotiate the most draconian bill and the people who negotiated on the Republican side wouldn’t vote for it

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max skinner's avatar

I've watched Senator Padilla over the years of his public service in his home state. He usually backs up what he says with proposals. He is not an empty word sort of politician. He's been concerned about the Dreamers and asylum seekers for years. Adding money to fund courts and officers is something he probably supports.

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rlritt's avatar

Agree

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Sabrina Haake's avatar

Promoting #BidenBorderCrisis on social media, and falsely claiming that democrats support open borders, Mike Johnson and other far right pols approach immigration today like they approached abortion yesterday: as an opposition party whose role is to attack, not solve. They obviously don’t want the dog to catch this car either. Too bad Biden beat them at their game. Again.

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Hortense's avatar

If the Dems decided to vote for H.R 2, the GOP immigration bill of 2023, the GOP would denounce that bill as not being adequate, or they were still say, too little, too late. But then be willing for the "tons of fentanyl" and "murdering" immigrants to continue to come over the border every month until Trump wins and magically fixes this in 24 hours with his mythical negotiating skills.

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Migs's avatar

THIS. Not only would republicans vote against it but the republicans who actually wrote the bill would vote against it

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Hortense's avatar

My personal belief is that they don't want to solve this. They got what they said they wanted with respect to abortion, which did not turn out as they expected it to. No way they're going to let immigration go the same way.

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Migs's avatar

I think it’s both. Their base wants it and wants it bad. The problem is as dumb as republican legislators are they know that a massive cut in immigration would be awful for (1) businesses, (2) inflation, (3) entitlements and (4) what it will look like to deport 11m people (also how much it will cost.

I think they will have the same problem with immigration that they did with roe. No matter how bad they think/know massively curbing immigration is their voters will force them to do something about it.

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Hortense's avatar

I won't disagree. It took the right 50 years and consistent work on changing the makeup of SCOTUS and the federal bench. I imagine any court challenge will be dealt with in much less time. While I am not happy with how this EO came about, I am glad that Biden is throwing down the gauntlet, and showing who the GOP really are.

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Migs's avatar

I mean he didn’t have many other options. Republicans will not make a deal on immigration. It doesn’t matter if they have a Republican president or Democratic one. I don’t think there is much they can do at the courts to “really” do anything on immigration (major). They will need to do this in congress once they kill the filibuster

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Hortense's avatar

Yep. This is really in Congress's lap to properly fund the immigration system to get people adjudicated more promptly. EO's are too limited in what they can do and can easily be negated with the next administration.

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Migs's avatar

Every single president for 40 years have tried to use EOs on immigration. Makes the difference on the margins

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Hortense's avatar

And yet, here we are. Margins are not working particularly well.

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Migs's avatar

Yep. It’s congress’s issue. They actually have to do something. Given that fact, nothing will be done

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max skinner's avatar

We cannot accomplish anything when purists criticize or block proposals that contain some of what they say they want. It makes me wonder if they are sincere in their own proposals or if they just want a club to beat opponents with in the public sphere.

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Hortense's avatar

I agree. I find it frustrating when people require 100% of something or they block it. Re: renewables, people have argued (argument from past years) that, since they will make up only 5%, why bother? If someone wants to give me a 5% raise, why would I say no? If someone wants to pay 5% of my bills, why would I say no? Just make steps towards improving immigration or any other good thing for the country.

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Richard Burger's avatar

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) ..."Well, it’s too little, too late from what I understand"

Lets review. Republicans refused to pass the border bill because it wasn't strong enough, plus they claim Biden can do it all through executive action. Now Biden takes an executive action, he has every incentive to be as effective as possible. That is not good enough either.

Actually the exec order legitimately is not good enough. Everyone understands that legislation is required. We're witnessing a festival of bad faith.

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Julia Cooper's avatar

Garland came out fighting and I love it. Calling out the lies and the lying liars.

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Oldandintheway's avatar

Paying and promoting witnesses? Where is the DOJ on this. Everything the GOP does is criminal. That's the only way they work, and they do it until someone stops them. That's why Trump was stunned when he got arrested and he couldn't get anyone to rig, fix, or at least delay his trial. He was able to do that in Georgia, for the Jan 6 coup, and the documents case. Is Judge Cannon being paid with Russian money? I wouldn't be surprised.

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Hortense's avatar

He learned his lesson with Cohen and Pecker. They turned on him because he did not continue to take care of them. Personal loyalty, it turns out, does cut both ways and does cost money.

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Craig Sharon's avatar

Another Trump crime in plain sight.

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Gerald Lewis's avatar

I'm sorry but inspite of this recent, completely surprising actual movement by Garland (who knew he could move?), his overall performance and political image is as I see it etherially thin. America sorely needs another Bobby Kennedy in that office , a visible, bold leader, not a closet dweller.

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Terry Hilldale's avatar

Did Bobby Kennedy have deal with anything comparable to what Garland is dealing with? Or are you myth-making?

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Gerald Lewis's avatar

Give me a list of what Garland has dealt with. Not faced, dealt with.

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Terry Hilldale's avatar

2021--- https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/case/related-enforcement-actions/2021

2022--- https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/case/related-enforcement-actions/2022

2023--- https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/case/related-enforcement-actions/2023

2024--- https://www.justice.gov/criminal/related-enforcement-actions-2024

https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/DOJresponse

https://oig.justice.gov/ongoing-work

Bobby Kennedy did not have to work in an environment where a substantial number of Americans support a seditious, life -long criminal former president for reelection where everybody and their brother is second-guessing him and never satisfied with anything he does one way or another.

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Gerald Lewis's avatar

My reply landed elsewhere. Mea culpa.

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Gerald Lewis's avatar

Giv

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Bluchek Mark's avatar

Hmm. Of the 8 senators threatening to stop work, and thereby stop the Senate from working, 6 are from right-to-work states, and only one (Vance) is from a state in which public employees have any strike rights at all.

https://www.rodtannerlaw.com/news/the-right-to-strike

But if you’re a senator, I guess you can engage in a job action.

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Forrest's avatar

Fuck the refugees, I guess. Nobody seems to care.

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Migs's avatar

Not only that but the people who want to fuck over the refugees won’t even give him credit. Why negotiate?

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Forrest's avatar

I literally don't know why Biden is doing this. Maybe the cruelty is the point.

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Migs's avatar

Political liability. Got to do something and it will be overturned by the courts in a day or 2. Get caught trying

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Forrest's avatar

I have a suggestion for doing something: make it easier to immigrate. If the court doesn't like it, ignore the court.

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Migs's avatar

Well that is deeply unpopular (both increasing immigration AND not listening to the court). A good way to lose the election then we can get some real draconian immigration laws from Trump

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Forrest's avatar

It's more important to behave ethically than to be popular.

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Migs's avatar

How is not upholding the law ethical? Seems…the opposite?

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Forrest's avatar

Ask MLK or Gandhi. If the law is unethical, as our immigration law currently is, the ethical thing to do is ignore the law.

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Migs's avatar

Remind me when they won an election?

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Forrest's avatar

Winning an election is not as important as behaving ethically. Do the right thing. Do it all the time.

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Sarah B's avatar

Sorry, but the flow will probably increase in the summer and even democrats are saying they're concerned. It's not anti-immigrant -- it's that the flow is unprecedented and the system is broken. If he didn't take this action, we're much more likely to lose the election, period. And I'm sorry, but I for one am pleased that he took the cudgel away (although the GOP hate him just as much all the same).

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Forrest's avatar

You should be sorry. This is an action that hurts innocent people for absolutely no reason. It is anti-immigrant.

Why not issue an executive order making it easier to immigrate to this country, instead of harder? Because Republicans hate immigrants? That's silly! Republicans aren't going to vote for Biden no matter what he does!

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Sarah B's avatar

I respect your point of view.

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Forrest's avatar

My point of view isn't important, Sarah. What is important is that the President is being cruel to migrants for no reason.

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Michael's avatar

I don’t know if you’re trolling or not because the reasons are obvious. Immigration is a political liability for Biden, fairly or unfairly, and there is also a genuine issue of too many people claiming asylum for our system to manage. Your virtue won’t do much good if Trump wins and continues dismantling our democracy and building concentration camps.

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Oldandintheway's avatar

So, AG Garland is pissed. Well, so am I. What is he going to do about it. He has more power than I do (legally). If people are threatening harm to FBI people isn’t that a crime? If people in high places are saying that if they lose the election there will be violence, isn’t that sedition? What if some of those people are on the Supreme Court? Isn't his job to make us safe and not just complain about it?

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Sabrina Haake's avatar

It seems Garland is weary of triggering more accusations of politicizing justice. I say fuck 'em. If Republicans are going to scream 'lawfare' every time the DOJ does its job, it's crying wolf. Let 'em cry.

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Prigge, Norbert's avatar

Kind of surprises me that the President gets no credit from the members of the Trump cult. I doubt very much that he is holding his breath looking for that.

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Migs's avatar

Yep that’s why it never makes sense to move away from his base. What’s the point? You’ll never win them over

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