Yesterday, Washington Inside reported that a commercial airplane collided with a ground fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport. Tom Homan, Trump's border affairs chief, stated that during the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would be deployed to multiple airports to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). As of Monday morning local time, ICE had been deployed to 13 airports across the United States. Trump also hinted that if ICE alone is insufficient to alleviate long security lines, the National Guard might be sent to airports. Senate Majority Leader (Republican) John Thune proposed a plan to fund departments within DHS other than ICE—aimed at securing Democratic support—but Trump rejected it. Trump urged Republicans not to leave Washington during the upcoming recess, so they can continue pressuring Democrats to pass the SAVE Act. He warned that if Republican senators depart Washington during the recess, he would publicly criticize them. Trump also said he would invite all Republican senators and their families to attend a Easter dinner at the White House. To some Republicans, this gesture feels more like a threat than a reward.
Bannon stated that deploying ICE officers to major U.S. airports is a "trial run" designed to better position ICE for the upcoming midterm elections. Last month, he urged Trump to deploy immigration enforcement personnel to polling stations during the midterms to prevent Democrats from "stealing" election results. However, some believe the real intent behind this move is clearly to intimidate voters and poll workers, and artificially influence election outcomes.
Image source: internet
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860509312513033/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.