Sen. Ron Johnson on Government Shutdowns, Border Policy, and ICE Officer Sympathy

Discontent with Government Funding Process

• 🚫 Senator Ron Johnson expresses deep frustration with the legislative process for passing appropriation bills, citing a 96.7% failure rate.
• 💡 He proposed the "Eliminate Shutdown Act" and "Shutdown Fairness Act" to address dysfunction, but neither has passed.
• 💸 Johnson criticizes the inclusion of $14.3 billion in earmarks in a funding package, especially given the national debt approaching $39 trillion.
• 📉 He views earmarks as a "gateway drug" that has contributed to the massive increase in national debt since 2011.

Criticism of Open Border Policies

• 🚨 Johnson argues that the focus on ICE operations distracts from the root cause: open border policies that have allowed millions of people, including criminals and traffickers, into the country.
• 🎯 He believes Democrats are concentrating on the deaths of individuals who obstructed justice, rather than addressing the border crisis they created.
• ⚠️ The senator states that DHS is being blamed for trying to manage the enormous problems caused by the administration's border policies.

Sympathy for ICE Officers

• 🤝 Johnson expresses significant sympathy for ICE officers, who he believes are performing legal law enforcement under threat.
• 📱 He highlights instances where state officials allegedly encouraged protesters to surround and obstruct ICE officers, leading to dangerous situations.
• ⚠️ The pressure and threats against ICE officers have created a "hair-trigger alert" environment, which Johnson links to tragic deaths.
• ✅ He asserts that ICE officers are trying to keep America and Minneapolis safe but are being frustrated in their efforts.

Homeland Security Secretary's Role

• ❓ Regarding calls for Homeland Security Secretary's resignation, Johnson defers to President's decision, stating it is his call.
• 🗣️ He acknowledges that the Secretary may have "gotten over her skis" in initial comments about a shooting death.