OPINION:
One of the things that frustrates so many people about Washington is its dysfunction. We are paying more and getting less. Another day older and deeper in debt, as an old song goes. The cost, bureaucracy and failure of the government to produce many results despite the promises of politicians feed the cynicism many feel about the capital.
That may be about to change as the Trump administration follows through on its pledge to deport undocumented immigrants, some of whom have been convicted or charged with the most heinous crimes.
Democrats and the left have been mostly silent about these deportations. One exception is singer Selena Gomez, who posted a video of herself crying and expressing empathy for “the children” (adult criminals are the targets for deportation). She quickly took down the video after receiving a torrent of criticism.
Border czar Tom Homan wondered why Ms. Gomez is only now speaking out: “Where are her tears for the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have died from fentanyl coming across the southern border?” Good question.
The decline in migrant numbers has been dramatic and can be credited only to President Trump’s swift fulfillment of his campaign promise. Fox News — the only media outlet to have consistently covered the border problem to the shame of others — reports fewer than 600 people crossed illegally into the U.S. from Mexico on Sunday. The decline in numbers will make the job of the Border Patrol much easier.
These lower numbers contrast significantly with those from the previous administration. In the final days of the Biden administration, between 1,200 and 1,400 people came in daily. Biden officials claimed the border was “secure,” even when photographs clearly showed it was not.
On Tuesday, newly confirmed Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem joined ICE agents on raids in New York. She said, “Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets.” New York City Mayor Eric Adams, after at first pledging to protect migrants and offering them free hotel rooms and other benefits as part of his “sanctuary city” policy, now seems to have stepped back. He recently met with President Trump, which has led to speculation that Mr. Adams may be seeking a pardon from his recent criminal indictments in exchange for softening his opposition to deportation. Mr. Adams is up for reelection in November, and many New York Democrats have been critical of what they see as his cozying up to Mr. Trump.
It’s not only the approach to border security that has changed in the past week. Pete Hegseth, the new secretary of defense, is dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at the Pentagon and throughout the military ranks. On Monday, Mr. Trump signed more executive orders that included banning transgender Americans from the military and restoring troops who were discharged for refusing to take COVID-19 vaccinations, back pay included. Another executive order is intended to establish the development of an American version of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. Mr. Trump credited Ronald Reagan for the concept but said the technology wasn’t sufficient in the 1980s to develop it. He said that technology now exists.
It’s not only the speed with which Mr. Trump is addressing these issues — and polls indicate a majority approve — but also the feeling that something positive is finally being accomplished in Washington, which for too long has seemed stagnant and unable (or unwilling) to change things that don’t work in favor of what does.
Even those who have been and remain critical of Donald Trump can’t ignore success, which Mr. Trump has said would be his best “revenge” against those who have tried to defeat him through impeachments, indictments, a trial and two apparent assassination attempts.
• Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. Look for Cal Thomas’ latest book, “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America” (HumanixBooks).
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