He had better not try it. And if he tries to call a state emergency, I would expect the GOP to rebel. There IS no state emergency and everyone KNOWS it!
5
Even in the best of times with actual presidents, the address is full of sound and fury, signifying little. The proposals (especially budget) are often DOA and never convince the other party, the late-speech focus on the soldier du jour is war-desensitization propaganda, and partisan applause proves Congress only slightly more mature than the UK's Commons—when those among it don't become far less mature and pull a You Lie.[1] Really, actual presidents keep Congress informed daily or more often anyway, thus fulfilling their Constitutional duty, and the flowery speech ought to just be shelved in favor of that.
Still, I watched Obama's eagerly. I had some hope in this thoughtful sharp words[2], even when he was not pardoning the heroic Snowden and instead leaving him to die or get squeezed by putin for the sensitive info they say they don't want him to spread in the first place. But Individual-1 will, as he has before, combine the worst of State of the Union spectacle and lies with the worst of covfefean spectacle and lies. If President Obama's addresses were glasses of sparkling wine with a slight disappointing aftertaste, then the loser's are gallons of that aftertaste, distilled pure.
Of course I won't watch this one. I'm an American.
[1] Can we borrow John Bercow? Please?
[2] https://youtu.be/wVNC6dAeeyA?t=10
1
This speech certainly is going to define his presidency. It will define him as a man incapable of compromise or any level of political negotiating, as one who is determined to hold on to his self-aggrandizing fantasies despite all evidence against them - and one who really, really, really doesn't care about what this country is and what it really needs.
2
I think Trump should go for the emergency declaration, and then waste the military's money building his silly little ego monument. If a handful of desperate refugees using approved methods of entering the country constitutes a "national emergency," then #2A fans slaughtering people by the tens of thousands, drug companies doling out opioids like candy, and the real fact of catastrophic climate change do too.
Yes we do have a national emergency but it is not at the border. It's at the White House. Trump's autocratic, dysfunctional, and ignorant and racist rulings are endangering our nation. We are on the brink. It is exigent that Trump and his corrupt, uncaring and amateur administrators be stopped before they do more damage. The only real criminal is Trump who is trying to hijack our democracy for his own personal gain.
1
"... Tax cuts and regulatory reform ain’t enough. We want the wall." This apparatchik has hit the trifecta of Republicon strategy pillars. Tax cuts for the Wall Street crowd, and regulatory blowups for the farming/mining/rural crowd. But these don't do it for the large sections of the base, where paying lip service to abortion bans is not cutting it. Easier to kick those brown folks around and get the poors+uneducateds (who "I do so well with" - Trump) fired up by talk of a wall.
We already have a situation, thanks solely to Mitch McConnell, where every Supreme Court nomination will be dead on arrival if the Senate is controlled by a different party than the White House. (Thanks Traitor Mitch!)
Now, we are on the verge of having a situation where anything the President wants, but can't get legislatively, will be dealt with by calling it a "national emergency". (Thanks Traitor Trump!)
Imagine how McConnell is going to feel on the receiving end of these two developments once he's back in the minority? It almost makes me wish Trump does it, and gets away with it.
After all, the wall, and every other idiotic thing Trump has done so far, can mostly be dismantled and undone as soon as he leaves office, but, the power shifts resulting from the current GOP power grabs, will remain with the White House and the Senate after the Democrats secure them both in 2020.
These two things alone, combined with the ending of the Electoral College and the subjugation of the wisdom of the majority to the ignorance of the minority, may be enough to insure that the GOP never comes to power again.
To that day! And all the peace and joy that would bring to our currently politically battered and morally devastated country.
Keep digging those holes Mitch and Donald! Your entire, wholly corrupt, party is what's going to be buried there!
The State of Emergency is Environment. While Chicago is getting colder than Antarctica and glaciers are melting around the world.
This government is failing it's people.
It would be nice if he did declare an emergency, it would show the country that it doesn't matter what the majority want for this country, only what his "Royal Heinous" wants for the country.
He has no clue what the word Democracy means.
The only “emergency” that I see is the ongoing downward spiral of the Trump presidency.
That said, perhaps this IS a moment to give the bizzaro-world Trump presidency some credit for indirectly initiating another “hard look” at laws on the books that are long overdue due for reexamination. Case in point...this 1976 National Emergencies Act.
That the century-plus old “situation” of illegal southern border crossings, now a the lowest level in decades, can somehow now be legally re-framed as an “emergency” in order to validate a clever yet entirely bogus campaign slogan and “promise” should signal to anyone that the 1976 NEA should either be terminated or its executive power very very narrowly circumscribed by Congress.
Just look at Germany’s 1933 Enabling Act if you want to see the horrific potential results of an emergency power legislation run amuck.
If the Republicans in the Senate or Congress don't back the President they will be in trouble with their base.
"Mr. McConnell, according to three people familiar with his thinking, "
There are as many as three people familiar with McConnell's thinking? Does this include Mr. McConnell himself?
So can he tell us what he was thinking when he supported Trump's bizarre concept of a concrete or steel (or why not adobe) wall? And what he thinks now about that wall and the newly created chaos at our border? Not about the Republican base that Trump's managed to stir up once again, but about the actual wall itself?
2
Seems like McConnell & Co. will just roll over and let Trump do whatever he wants to, shamelessly justify it with whatever outlandish spin they can concoct, and then complain about "overreach" or "liberal activism" if a Democratic president tries to use similar executive powers in the future.
Why change the tactics they've been using for the last thirty years?
How about Republicans in Congress becoming vertebrates and standing up for the principle of separation of powers under the Constitution for its own sake, rather than the Mutually Assured Destruction rationale of "if we do it to the Democrats, they'll later do it to us"?
What put this issue completely out of focus explains the degree of difficulty finding an answer. A boisterous campaign pledge with Mexico paying for the wall remains a hard sell. Simply putting the funding in Annual Budget was possible when House and Senate controlled by the GOP. Why did he and they wait till the House flipped to pass a funding bill for the Great Wall?
McConnell's opposition to a National Emergency is real because it may not gain Senate approval or represents a fight he wishes to avoid for all the reasons stated. Trump however is out of options.
The Difference between the President of an actual democratic republic and a tyrant is that the former governs by persuasion and consensus while the latter governs by fiat.
A unilateral declaration of emergency to fulfill a whim that cannot otherwise be gotten by fair means, is an admission of weakness, rather than a show of strength.
3
Trump's approval numbers at the moment are below par, but some of us worry that the longer he performs outside the bounds of law, decency and the good of the country, the more that people might come to associate with his behavior. Mueller needs to get a move on.
Perhaps there are a few good Republicans still in Congress who don't want to waste billions of dollars on a wall that is neither necessary nor appropriate.
Considering that a wall was first proposed only to give Trump a talking point on the campaign trail, it's amazing that he is has become so married to it. He should move on, but he probably won't.
1
Let him do it. Clearing the way for a Democratic President to declare climate change a national emergency might just be Trump's one good deed that gets us where we need to be if we're not to burn up the planet.
Climate change is an emergency. So is gun violence in this country. It would be a paradigm shift in how this democracy (or is it plutocracy, or at the moment kakistocracy) works to start ruling by fiat, but it might save a whole lot of lives...
Honestly. That it has come to this!
4
Ironically, there may not be that much to worry about. I suspect that Mr. Trump himself may not really care about the wall, but what he really cares about are the millions of his supporters who care about a wall. He knows a declaration of national emergency will certainly be held up (or shot down) in the courts, will be proscribed by Congress, and could divide his party. But he doesn't care because his base is who he answers to. So let him do the national emergency thing - the country wins because the wall is stopped, and Trump thinks he's won because he can say to his base that he tried his best.
Republican consultant Jeff Roe: "Let’s stop fighting ourselves and letting Democrats kick us in the face."
What kind of fantastical world of deluded victimhood do people like that live in?
Is the entire Republican Party as psychotic as Roe and that kind of statement makes it it seems?
3
McConnell is as bad as our president. He is an active participant in usurpation of the powers of Congress caring only about his power. His presence in Washington should be an embarrassment to the citizens of Kentucky. His willingness to assist trump in all his assertions is disgraceful as is unwillingness to bring votes to the Senate floor. Dictator Second class should be his title.
4
Now the Republicans are worried about setting new precedents, after two years of letting Trump do whatever he wanted.
Trump has set plenty of new precedents without so much as a
peep of protest from his party.
From withholding his tax returns, divestment, to emoluments, nepotism, ect., this president has been a law unto himself.
Trump's enablers have only emboldened him to the point that they have lost control of their monster. He will never listen to them.
1
I would guess that part of the reason Speaker Pelosi is not relenting on anything to do with "the wall" is that Trump is as bad a winner as he is a loser. Graceful is not in his DNA.
1
"Mr. McConnell, according to three people familiar with his thinking, has grown increasingly frustrated with the White House in recent days, telling associates that he thinks members of the president's staff have failed to adequately brief him on the legislative and political perils of moving ahead with a disaster declaration."
There is just far too much wrong with this paragraph. First, it assumes that the president's staff can have anything they brief him on either a) stick longer than the end of their sentence or b) that if it does stick, that he cares about the consequences of his actions.
Second, it goes to show that Mr. McConnell is concerned only with his position in the government and not actually governing. Only with a demonstrably unstable president of the same party threatening to blur the separation of powers, and thus curtailing his power if he does nothing, does Mr. McConnell have some words with the president.
I could go on, but why bother?
1
I recall Lindsey Graham saying in reference to the choice between Trump and Ted Cruz back during the primaries that it was like a choice between shooting yourself in the head (trump) and taking poison (Cruz) then going on to say "but there are antidotes for poison"
Now that his lips are permanently glued to trumps back side you have to wonder if this complete reversal is just because he's just willing to sell any tiny shread of integrity he had left so cheaply or if the Russians have something on him too. When it comes to total political prostitution, he's sunk to Devin Nunes level.
Check the mirror Lindsey, you got something on your nose.
7
Trump as POTUS is a waste of the public's time. The media must cover him b/c he is the current POTUS, but that doesn't mean the public needs to waste time attending to his nonsense.
I have better things to do and can always catch up by reading The New York Times and watching YouTube clips of the SOTU.
4
All of us already know that Donald Trump is an ignorant man and a liar of the first order.
I trust he will outdo himself tonight with all his bunkum.
Perhaps he'll be distracted by a heckler and go into a fist pounding, yelling temper tantrum.
He's such a sterling example of how not to be presidential.
I anxiously await this tiny tiny man's display of unmitigated stupidity and gross ignorance; something we've all come to expect from this orange non-wonder.
2
If Donald Trump is really hard up for money to build his wall, he could always sell the numerous pictures of his wife posing in the nude. After all, he could always declare that he was supporting the Arts.
Liar in chief said Mexico would pay for a useless /ineffective wall and like everything else , he lied and sold out his country and the Republicans like Graham and Nunes , Gohmert etc have gone along for the ride . THis former Pro choice , Democrat has co-0pted the GOP , is bankrupting the Country , violated the Constitution and personally profited from being in the Oval office while he continues his racist , sexist, adulterous ,nativist ways and his sycophants at Foxie and Hanna Huckleberry Saunders and Cruella de Vile keep praising him and spread Blasphemy about Trumplandia Being on a mission from God. Tonight will be no different THAN HIS daily tweet fest of attacks and character assasinations and appeals to his shrinking base. SAD!
2
Slim, Meet None.
2
Two thoughts: Who is going to state loudly to the President, "You lie!" during the speech?
Also: I would like for our Democratic leaders to start referring to the GOP as "The Party of Trump" every time they call the Democratic Party the "Democrat Party." The Republican Party is no longer recognizable. Trump is big on branding - let's call it what it is.
3
Th actual national emergency is that our federal and many state governments are systematically driven to extreme positions (let’s be honest, mostly to the right over the past two decades) and unable to pass legislation that improves our country and our lives.
1
"As Mr. Trump prepares to make his case for a border wall, one option to use a state of emergency to fund it could divide his party."
Please tell us what did happen, not what "could" happen. Your guess is as good as mine. With incoming news more complicated than ever, it is now most important that other, competent, news organizations cover the areas where this newspaper is abdicating its responsibilities on a daily basis: telling readers what *happened*.
1
Trump is trying to undercut the legislative process by calling for a state emergency. Our southern border is obviously NOT in a state of emergency. After all, if it was, he couldn't have shut down the government. Who would stop the band of marauders a/k/a refugees at our southern border? And the Intelligence services never once mentioned our southern border as being in crisis.
28
If the wall is such an emergency, why wasn't it an emergency over the last two years when Trump had a Republican majority?
6
Eminent domain to grab land in order to prop up political rhetoric, a power-grab "national emergency," ballooning deficit: GOP conservative values.
7
He only Wall I want built is one around the Electoral College.
6
Watch and listen for nasal drippage. It accompanies every major address. Watch for the breathing through teeth.
This is alarming.
7
Disturbing? Sounds and looks like he's snorting coke. Just a thought.
1
@A. Reader Recall his wacky doctor... What 'billionaire' has that kind of doctor? Besides his taxes, let's check his prescriptions.
@Doremus Jessup Cohen says it's Adderall. The same stuff we pump into troublesome children.
It appears more and more that Mitch McConnell is calling the "shots" every day.
He appears to be the "shadow president".
1
The promise was that Mexico would pay for the folly of Trump's wall. It was his mantra. "Who will pay for the wall? Mexico will pay for the wall." So, to be true to his promise - no pesos, no wall!
8
In the end, they'll all bow to the King.
2
Well Mr.Jeff Roe, if the wall is so important because of our "national crisis" why didn't you and the rest of your repub. majority in the house and senate fund the "beautiful wall" sometime over the last 2 YEARS? Wow how can anyone listen and then have the audacity to defend these charlatans?
6
"Unity" is not the one-way street Donald as attempted to make it.
2
While our countries government is dealing with this nonsense, China is making in roads into countries around the world; taking over with the help of corrupt leaders. China has a plan for riches and success; the US has a crazy man at the helm.
4
Path? What path? A slippery tightrope that an incompetent old man has no chance of getting across, perhaps, but not a path.
Art of the deal my rear end........
4
Almost 70% of America does not want a wall. Why does he keep saying most or almost everyone wants the wall? His gut is lying to him on so many levels from the Big Macs he devours.
Will not be listening tonight because I can't stomach more egotistical praise of himself. Hope the Democrats can come out & tell the truth without being egotistical themselves.
4
@Nostradamus Said So I will NOT be watching or listening. I would rather get a root canal without novocaine then listen to the continuous lies and propaganda.
1
Build bridges, not a wall. Build ports of entry, not a wall. Build a humanitarian immigration policy, not a wall. Walls divide. Trump can't unite the country if he insists on a wall that divides us.
7
@WestHartfordguy Did you have this same outrage when the 700+ miles that currently exist was being built?
Just curious.
1
@WestHartfordguy Surely you know there ARE Bridges and regular border entry points.
The big idea is to get visitors to this country to use those.
It's heart-breaking to witness a significant erosion in common decency in a country long admired for its compassion, humanity, rule of law and storied checks and balances.
If constructive discourse leading to negotiated settlements is continually held hostage by extreme partisanship politics whose chief goal is to demonize and vilify constructive opposition, who then speaks for the country? Seems it is a lethal prescription for doing nothing at a horrendous cost to the citizens.
9
CNN is reporting that trump and Kushner met with contractors in the WH late last week to discuss building the wall. He’s trying to run the country like his company, not like a government for millions of people.
6
I do not see an emergency as he waited until the Republicans were out of power in the House to act.
8
hasn't this all gotten a bit ludicrous? Most democrats, myself included, are for border security (as well as a reasonable and lawful pathway to citizenship or some sort of residency, which currently doesn't really exist for folks coming from the south). Because of the president's brinksmanship and need to declare victory, all we talk about now is wall or no wall. There is no room for rational discussion about opportunities that might actually work. What about barriers placed in strategic areas that would accommodate a barrier, are vulnerable to crossings and can't be covered by other security mechanisms accompanied by stronger drug/smuggling security at the points of lawful entry, where these entries typically occur? Add to that legal opportunities for immigrants to come here if they demonstrate they are not a threat and have a reasonable opportunity to succeed.
Maybe that's all just too rational.
10
Americans of all political views, who believe the framers of our federated Republic were exceedingly cautious of investing any ONE branch of government with overarching authority, should be alarmed at the prospect of Mr. Trump using the pretext of "national emergency" to respond to criticism from political pundits.
Mr. Trump apparently learned nothing from his recent political debacle of shutting down the federal government to extort funds from a Democratic controlled House of Representatives. Now Mr. Trump seems intent on dividing the GOP as well.
7
Let's see, so far the Repubs have made it possible for the next Democratic-majority Senate to block all Republican President nominees for the Supreme court until after the next election, no matter how long that is (Trump filed re-election papers the day after his inauguration, and the McConnell test now is if the President is in "campaign mode" the Senate can ignore all his nominees until after the election. Trump is clearly in campaign mode now). A Dem senate can also confirm all SC justices with a simple majority. Also, if trump goes though with his tantrum and declares an "emergency" for a non-emergency, then any future Dem President can declare an emergency to do whatever for whatever.
This is what the Repubs have done- eliminated all adult controls on the legislative and presidential branches. The only thing left to do is for Repubs to ignore SC rulings and thereby assume all power for themselves.
2
The Republicans should throw Trump overboard. They got what they wanted from him -- judicial appointments and a big tax cut. They don't need him anymore.
6
The future disasters that could befall due to Trumps misuse of a "state of emergency" are obvious. Unfortunately, Mr. Trump doesn't care about the future. He is obsessed on getting himself a victory here and now.
6
If McConnell & other leading Congressional Republicans don't stand up to Trump on the wall, the party will be destroyed at the polls in 2020.
5
@Bill, for longer than that. We're talking for a good three generations, at least. Which would be fine.
1
One thing question to ask is how long each proposal would take to implement? The wall would take years to even get started for most of it. Buying land, env impact studies, engineering, material production, lawsuits and much more.
Seems like the drones, sensors and other technology could be up and running quickly and honestly be more effective. Technology continues to improve rapidly and the wall will be unnecessary in the not too distant. By the time it's built it will likely be outdated and useless. No one will want to tear it down despite its being an ugly blight on the landscape because it would be hugely expensive to remove.
Why does no one ever mention satellite surveillance? Surely if we invest in technology solutions that tech would be applicable to other uses making them far more useful, sensible and cost-effective over time. How do you stop visa overstays? Manage other borders?
Technology solutions appear superior to barriers for guns and drugs. The guns and drugs problem is owned by us here at home. Demand and supply are the issues to face.
The wall is a stupid waste of all of our time and money and pushed by a crazy man. Can we just put a 10-mile stretch of wall along the coast at Mar-a-Lago and invest the rest in tech?
7
President Trump ignores all advice, some of which seems to be very good.
He acts like a small child who has no idea how to settle a disagreement. He demands that he get what he wants. If he doesn't get what he wants, he pouts or has a temper tantrum and gets nothing.
4
“To every Republican, if you don’t stand behind this president, we’re not going to stand behind you when it comes to the wall,” said Mr. Graham
What a rather convoluted statement......our so called "president" wants a wall, but if republican congressional republicans don't stand behind him on the wall, then they can't count on the support of the republican party when it comes to a wall. Uh, what? The United States needs this grandiose border wall like a fish needs a bicycle.
5
Trump is not "unwilling, at least so far, to apply the persuasion and compromise that have gotten previous presidents out of political jams": he is incapable of doing those things.
He is an incompetent negotiator because other people's needs and wants mean nothing to him. He is an incompetent politician because he sees "negotiation" as a battle in which only one side can win rather than a way to satisfy, if only partially, diverse interest groups.
Having never been forced either by circumstance or authority to play well with others, it's no surprise he's incapable of doing so even when the stakes are high.
4
America’s favorite reality show host returns; no more apprenticeships here however. Somewhere along the way, he slid into hosting our favorite unreality show, “The Biggest Loser”.
Senator Graham just isn’t watching the same channel I guess as I cannot think of any defining moment; perhaps his impending impeachment?
3
It doesn't matter what he says in the State of the Union. I agree completely with Senator Schumer's very succinct prediction of a speech full of lies - not being a question of will he tell lies, just how many? And I guess, how outrageous will they be this time? If he veers off script, things could get even crazier, maybe, although if S. Miller wrote the speech, who knows? He's getting a ton of mileage off the Wall talk - I wish the media would cease obsessing over a potential faux state-of-emergency declaration. So, he'll probably try to pull it off. It won't go anywhere, as reported here - McConnell doesn't want it, and the courts will definitively reject it. It's just a ploy to distract, so why help him prolong this rather successful propaganda cycle? It's best to survive the circus with the least amount of collaboration possible, I would think.
9
He can not be allowed to have this wall. First, he did not win the popular vote. This, by definition, means that MOST of us did not want him to be President. We did not like his message (and this was the loudest and most often repeated!). Second, current polling shows the majority of Americans still oppose the wall. Third, it is just the wrong thing to do. Spend ridiculous sums to appease one man's ego so that he can quiet the conservative media who use this stuff to rile their base and increase ratings. Time for this country to move on to something more important!
9
@Alk Maybe some counseling would help, it's been two years. We do have a problem with illegal border crossings and it should be stopped.
Donald Trump, the self-declared deal maker, is learning the hard way that running a country is different from running a real estate empire. Who would have thought that he might get trumped by his signature campaign promise, the wall? What a lovely twist in this presidential soap opera.
4
Republicans are concerned that declaring a State of Emergency will empower future, perhaps Democrat, presidents to do so for things such as gun control.
To me, states of emergency are tools used by leaders of banana republics or former Soviet puppet states to crack down when they feel heat from the opposition. My fear is that, once accepted, the current or a future president, seeking a second term, might use a state of emergency to seize control when he or she is not satisfied with the outcome of an election. Declare the vote fraudulent, and use the military to change the results.
4
I think hardly anyone believes a wall or physical barrier is critical to improving border security. I also think most people do support funding for some physical barrier - both repairing those barriers in place and adding new ones where CBP deems them essential.
And that’s why it’s hard to understand why a compromise can’t be reached. Neither Trump nor Pelosi are helping their respective parties by digging in on this and making a wall an “all or nothing” matter.
Trump’s predicament is of his own making. That said, I think most of his base would remain loyal with a reasonable compromise that included money for physical barriers.
I’d like to see a prioritized list of needs from the CBP. Hopefully the committee working on this has asked for that. Give the experts what they say they need. I think physical barriers would probably be down on the list of priorities.
Finally, we’re all missing the opportunity costs of this drawn out partisan war. Healthcare, Infrastructure, and Education all go lacking because of a needless political war.
Where are the adults? Yes, on both sides.......
3
@HeyJoe there are two problems with giving trump a wall. 1, he is blackmailing the house to get this wall and if Pelosi and the dems give in, the next time he wants something else he will do this again. 2. the dems have said numerous time, we'll give you money for border security, technology and more border agents, but not the physical wall.
Parents don't give in when their child says "I'm going to hold by breath until I get what I want" that's the road to nowhere.
It's really quite simple and here's the deal. Are you really prepared to trade your guns for a border wall?
2
@Bobaloobob
It is simpler than that. The SCOTUS is the bulwark against your gun grabbing desires. Some future Democratic President, if one ever gets elected again, will have ability to violate the 2nd Amendment with a Emergency declaration. Not even remotely a possibility but keep on encouraging this behavior from your party you won't be winning an election again anytime soon.
When is Trump going to stop wasting our time? We all know that border security is a real issue. Most of us don't know that fences, increased numbers of Border Patrol agents, and improved technology were financed under the Bush administration and that Obama was once known as the Deporter In Chief. The idea of putting a wall down the middle of the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park in Texas is bizarre. I am not sure how many people know that though. The idea of continuing to support improvements at ports of entry and along the border is not so bizarre. Sigh, can we please start talking about other big issues such as cutting down on number of opioid overdoses? This seems like an issue we can all work on, since both whites and African Americans appear to be dying in record numbers all over the States. Let's work together on a real issue.
2
Can anyone explain to me what Senator Graham meant when he said, in reference to a state of emergency, “To every Republican, if you don’t stand behind this president, we’re not going to stand behind you when it comes to the wall?”
It seems to me that it is the president who wants his party and members to stand behind him in support of the wall, not the other way around.
Never cared Speaker Ryan---Mitch McConnell is not strong enough. When the Republican Party splits and disagree with the border being of the upmost importance, I AM TIRED of WIMPS! Without realizing it is an invasion of a combination of people from Iran to Honduras and beyond, how can our leaders (including the Democratic Party) endanger America! Why on either side they want to close their eyes? A 10 foot fence around Pelosi--former President Obama---- Feinstein----shows how fearful they are to live without walls.
Could humans at the Times maybe do some proofreading or validity-checking or something? This comment is difficult to understand and seems fantasy-based.
2
It sounds as if you're saying he's walled himself in or out (depending on which side of the issue you're on) where he's cried "wolf!" about a national emergency so often that even his normal Senate enablers are saying "No." Now if he'd only offer real, comprehensive immigration reform rather than the simplistic solution of an expensive, unneeded wall, he might find that there's a real deal to had rather than the autocratic raw deal he's demanding.
According to CNN, "President Donald Trump and his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, met with contractors at the White House to discuss building the border wall late last week, two sources with knowledge of the meeting told CNN." If this is true, the current White House occupant has just committed attempted fraud, malfeasance of office and a host of Federal criminal acts. Somebody really should have mentioned this to the pair before inviting 'contractors' in to bid.
1
As it turns out, Ann Coulter did the President no favors when she goaded him into what looks like a foolish and self-destructive effort to impose a dictatorship on our democracy. Her advice has "backfired".
2
Ok, media and the especially NYTimes, here's a challenge: Can you cover the Trump Story without covering him? Do not repost his tweets, only other people's comments about them. Do not post pictures of him, only pictures of his followers or others reacting to him. Cover the Meuller investigation in detail, but skip his Inflammatory 'witch hunt' type comments. Anybody that wants to can find all that other stuff on the Web anyway. He is a celebrity. All his crazy stuff is just to get TV ratings and Ink in the press. What will the mad clown do next?
The responsibility of journalism is the story. No matter how much he wants to be, Trump is not the story now. His presidency is. His actions and quite probably his crimes are. Not whether his comb-over blows off his bald head in the wind.
5
I hope he tries his declaration. It will not work, but it will help with his undoing.
1
Pretty sad state of affairs when McConnell looks like the statesman in the room.
1
The GOP ALWAYS caves to Trump, no matter what they say.
1
Thanks, Jeff Rpe, for telling the truth. This border wall has nothing to do with our security. It's simply Trump throwing a bone to his most blood-thirsty, gun-loving, (I apologize to all the "good people" and their tiki torches) racist rabid supporters. And your children have to pay for it. If we're not all dead by 2030. Think of the children; Ted Cruz and his people won't!
3
The State of the Union given by the so-called president presents a tough choice.
Sit back and enjoy the clown show OR bask under a tsunami of lies.
Tough one.
Maybe I'll be saved from making the choice if the cat begins to toss a hair ball. There's always hope....
3
How about emergency on obesity and cancer along with the guns?
3
Should we find it any coincidence that our 45*th president would be giving his State of the Union speech on the beginning of the Lunar New Year, which this year ironically happens to be the Year of the PIG...?
2
The more photographs I see of the US - Mexican border, with the existing barriers, patrol roads, and surveillance towers, the more I am reminded of the West German - East German border I helped surveil in the early 1970s. It was the East Germans who created those border barriers, of course, and to keep people in, not out. But the visual parallels are very troubling, nonetheless. especially since we know what happened to the side back then that favored closed borders.
9
@John Could you not see the existing border crossings?
45 not just unfit as a president, but as a person, is very difficult, if not impossible, to work with.
For any one who has been paying attention, candidate Trump, and now 45, is on a mission to cause serious damage to the Republican Party and definitely to the country in the process. Lose lose deal.
9
Trump's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
23
@Larry
Most relevant reference to Shakespeare ever.
4
The Republicans should work for an amendment to the Constitution transforming the Republic, into an hereditary Kingdom ruled by the Trump dinasty, with full dictatory powers, terminating Congress and the Courts.
Since Trump is the smartest person on hearth, followded by his family and consorts, that would clearly be the best solution.
Unless , but of course without bloodshed as happened to Cesar, the Republicans could choose to eliminate the Dictator before, they, are eliminated by the People
4
Having to borrow another trillion to pay for the Trump tax cut is a national emergency. The burdening our young people with a trillion dollar student loan debt is a national emergency Natural disasters like hurricanes,earthquakes,fires,and tornadoes may turn into national emergencies All evidence suggests that the illegal immigrants,drugs, and only foreign terrorist carrying a bomb came across from Canada. The 911 terrorists came here legally from Saudi Arabia not form Mexico or Iran. Border security is important,but using 14th century solution may do more harm than good. Will not work and is a stupid idea.
14
@Slow fuse 14th century. good one! lol
When it comes to all things "Domestic", Sen. Lindsey Graham seems to lose his mind. Sad.
9
It will be interesting if decides to use th SOTU to start a rant about his "National Emergency". What reaction the Democrats have to his speech, either on the floor or after.
For those who think these walls/fences/virtual reality barriers will dissuade asylum seekers, think again. Texas & California entered the Union in 1850. That was 169 years ago. Suddenly, we all now live in fear of brown hordes swarming over the border & murdering us. Really?
8
@Bob Exactly! And most of California belonged to Mexico prior to it becoming a state. The hordes of brown people were already here.
3
@Bob - Arizona and New Mexico entered the Union in 1912. Just saying.
1
I will not watch, I refuse to watch this disingenuous, shallow huckster speak out of both sides of his mouth. Calling for “unity” will fall strictly to the Democrats to bend to his will and to build his wall. He is an empty vessel, and every word will ring hollow. All of the institutions he stands before he has undermined, devalued and tainted with his lies. I cannot watch him do it again tonight. Nope, not ‘gonna happen.
10
How about Mitch and Lindsey stand with regular Americans and not the orange faced buffoon for a change. I know love can blind, but this may cost them their re-elections. I can not fathom their statements of supporting something most Americans know with not solve the border crisis.
4
Hopefully before the State of the Union speech the cameras will check Trump and all the GOP senators to see if -
(wait for it)
they're wearing YEEZY...
Yeah, baby.
YEEZY? What is that?
Isn't it amazing all the compaint's Republicans had about Obama and his executive orders violating the constitution and bypassing congress. Now we have a President who has only used EO's to get anything accomplished even when the Republicans had full control of all the branches of gov't and he hasn't even been in office a full term yet. If anything is a national emergency it is his total disregard for the worlds environment which will have impact that last decades if not forever as we know it. Hows that compare to a few illegal aliens that always seem to find work at Trump's businesses so he can fire a union worker.
9
Let the Chinese pay for the wall. China is willing to offer $1,200 billions if Trump stops the tariffs. Just add $5.7 billions to the $1,200 billions or making it $1,205.7 billions.
As matters of realism and politics Trump should not get wall money. As a matter of humanity he should consider putting more immigration people to work trying to match up what definitely are thousands of separated parents and children ripped apart at the border. It made me think of Australia's treatment of aboriginals, without any accounting or care standards.
6
California has about 145 miles of border with Mexico. It has a barrier that stretches about 105 miles into the ocean along that border now. I want Pelosi to explain why that was built, if it should still stand, what is its morality, and her silence until Trump wanted more.
2
Trump should explain why his wall supporters all live in places like Indiana... far from the border.
Most border Texans, for example, say “meh” about a wall.
4
@TD - Because that's one portion of the border where it was feasible to build a barrier. See how simple? Let's take a look at Texas now, shall we? Or let's see - what about cutting across the Sonora Desert, thru the Tohono O'odham Nation which will not allow such a structure? Then, there's the southern border of New Mexico, between El Paso over to Arizona. Pretty nice desert there too. More to the point, there's no foundation - no foundation all the way down the line. Building on sand just doesn't last all that long. What's moral about deliberate failure?
1
@Alan J
I don't support a wall. I don't support Trump, either. I do think it fair to question all politicians and get as much information as possible.
Whatever might be the justification for the $5 billion wall on the Southern border,Republican Party is unlikely to divide seriously in case Trump invokes a national emergency for the wall.So intense is the confrontation between the two parties on this and the other issues.
3
This is what happens when the mono-syllabic "build that wall" is all that his base can absorb and espouse as original thought. He is stuck, he knows it and he will not get his wall. Congress won't allow it and the emergency powers will not result in mortar being applied to one brick of this grand delusion. He has lost.
9
Trump does Not care about Congress or procedure. McConnell opened the door on this kind of Thinking by Not having a vote for Garland. There will be a Democrat in the white House in the future with a Democrat majority in the Senate. What goes around comes around.
7
Arg! But, I'll watch it. If we have to live in interesting times, we might as well pay attention.
If it's like his last, I'll be asleep before he's finished lying.
4
To paraphrase Republican political consultant, "We been letting democrats kick for years. We want the wall." So Mr. Roe, why didn't your party pass legislation on the wall while you owned Congress and the Presidency. You had two years. Could be your own party members don't want the wall either?
8
It is a complete display of madness that there are citizens in the U.S. that are so completely brainwashed that they will follow Pres. Donald Trump down any road he chooses, just because they call themselves Republicans.
What happened to Lindsay Graham for instance. He's threatening his colleagues as he participates in a democracy! I believe that this ruling party has collectively lost their mind and are trying to "save face" as they implode as a party and government.
There are many people that voted this group in that are standing by them for the same reason...just because they have the red hat...it is nearly that shallow.
9
From the article:
“It would be a bad precedent, I think, for the president to decide to invoke national security as a way to bypass a congressional logjam,” said Senator Patrick J. Toomey, Republican of Pennsylvania. “And I can imagine future presidents using that for purposes I would find very objectionable.”
...In what way would it be "very objectionable" to treat climate change or gun violence as the emergencies that they are?
6
Trump can just build the wall. It is his job and the job of everyone in Congress to protect our borders. It is his job to build the wall and he can just order the military to do it. It is well within, unlike banning guns and killing people/babies, his constitutional powers but he is trying to get along with people playing this political nonsense and illustrating why our government doesn't work. It just play games. He is gonna build the wall tp protect our country. This is not a political issue. Its his job that the People elected him to do to keep America safe, and he knows it.
"We want the wall," sez Jeff Roe, Russo-Republican. Okay, make Mexico pay for it. That was another campaign promise. One broken promise, why not two? MOST PEOPLE DO NOT WANT THE WALL. Get over it. Move ON.
8
Could this Republican pushback, long awaited but which has not materialized until now, represent the beginning of some growing of "spine" for McConnell & Co. in resistance to the persistent wounding of our democracy by the corrupt and criminal pretender in the White House? Of course, these Congressional Collaborators are beginning to realize that they have less to fear from a sinking Trump than an evolving, souring electorate in 2020. The incentive for their re-election remains, of course, paramount to any real concern with the country's welfare.
2
Based upon Trump's hysterical ranting you would think that that ISIS were massed on the border with Mexico - no, that can't be right as Trump has defeated ISIS. US citizens take a look at Europe if you want to see a migrant crisis. People driven by war and hunger, and increasingly by climate change rendering land uninhabitable, are moving for their own survival. Countries like Italy and Greece haven't built walls along the beaches. Massive efforts in humanitarian aid in places of landing, and in the countries they migrate from, are the right solution as decent human beings. Trump's approach would see them all drown.
8
Not for nothing, but can someone explain how know-nothing whelps like Jared Kushner-Trump and Steven miller can wield such an influence over the president?
6
Clearly there is no national emergency when trump jets off to mar a largo to play golf on Super Bowl weekend.
One might think he ended the government shutdown just so he could do this boondoggle of a trip.
As far as wasting his time if not given the full amount of what he wants for his precious wall. Seems he already fritters away a lot of his time
6
Moving gravel is preferable to watching Trump.
4
The GOP finally threw away their somnolence for reactionary. They are not dodging Trump, they are head butting him.
1
I'm looking forward to this speech. After the tax cuts for billionaires providing the necessary "rocket fuel" for the economy I'm hoping for an announcement that the national debt has all been paid off ahead of schedule.
3
Unity with President Trump is hard to do when what he wants in a deal changes from day to day. Both Republicans and Democrats have experienced his moving goal posts.
1
The wall for your tax returns.
17
Personally, I think the emergency declaration should happen. POTUS does not understand the separation of powers. Just as Nancy Pelosi took him to school, it is high time the Republican senators reinforce the Civics lesson. Or for that matter, give him a Civics lesson. It is never to late to learn.
8
While your at it Republicans maybe it's time to get rid of that dinosaur named McConnell.. It's time for the Republicans to come into the 21st century.
8
Just when he's FINALLY going to do something right??
He won't do anything.
I hope Trump does declare a phony "national emergency." I am anticipating just what Republicans fear--and these are TRUE national emergencies, not just the stupid, vainglorious "wall"
a "national emergency" on gun violence
a "national emergency" on climate change
a "national emergency" on reproductive rights
a "national emergency" on minority human rights
a "national emergency" on immigration reform
a "national emergency" on tax reform (tax the rich!)
a "national emergency" on health care (Medicare for all)
a "national emergency" for infrastructure repairs
Anyone can imagine a dozen more things that the Republican obstructionists and their oligarch overlords hate and fear. If Republicans allow Trump to get away with this cheap trick, they have opened the door to a world of hurt for them and their "base," but a great victory for Americans sick of Republicans quashing every single reform that would actually help America.
17
@William O, Beeman
Yeah, Democrats have to WIN the Presidency first and with those ideas out there, no way that will happen. You are living in a fantasy world, enabled by a media that doesn't connect to the average American Worker. Why do you think left leaning media outfits are laying off workers by the thousands? Reality has a way of creeping into the real world as you will find out. None of what you want will ever occur because no democrat will be elected to the White House in the next 12 years.
1
@William O, Beeman
You forgot to add "voting rights" :)
2
“This is the defining moment of his presidency,”
Really? Trumps "presidency" will be defined by something the vast majority of normal Americans don't want and see as pointless and stupid? So, Trumps "presidency" will go down in history as a quest to do stupid things?
Actually, that fits pretty well with what we have seen so far!
11
I once read that at any given moment in time, an "I Love Lucy" rerun was being televised somewhere in the world. I would rather spend my evening channel surfing for one of those reruns than listen to the nation's idiot in chief stumble through a bizarre speech. I've seen examples where Trump has directly contradicted himself within three sentences. Actually I'd probably watch if Pelosi followed Trump's example and invited Stormy Daniels as a guest. Fortunately for us, she has too much class for that to happen.
16
I’ve seen ugly political fights but never this level of brinkmanship over something that, in the big picture, isn’t really a big deal.
No doubt border security needs improvement, including better barriers. But to turn it into some kind of existential showdown between two arms of the government is ridiculous.
This is channeling Andrew Jackson and Jackson was crackers.
Oh well, the American people hired them, but we only want to fire the ones the “other”
4
Did it ever occur to these Republicans to tell the truth to the base: walls are stupid; we live in a world of many poor people (them ) and a few rich (us). Get over it already! I suppose not. They would have to change their thinking so profoundly.
8
If building a giant wall, based on lies and racism about our Southern neighbors, is the defining moment of Trump's achievements, as Lindsey Graham said, that is "sad".
What's also sad is Republicans who cater to a screaming base of hateful racists. That is repugnant.
The majority of Americans do not want "The Wall". America's heads of security and intelligence testified last week to the Senate Intelligence Committee about U.S. "Worldwide Security Threats" for 2019.
Mexico, according to their testimony (televised) and report (downloadable), is no threat whatsoever to the U.S.
Therefore, Trump cannot declare a State of Emergency there. One doesn't exist.
Constitutionally, and even under special Presidential powers, he is not authorized to re-allocate funds without a vote from Congress.
Trump's attempted end run around the normal procedure for voting on border-related affairs circumvents Congress's Constitutional duty to control our borders, set immigration law and allocate the budget.
If Republicans are splitting into two camps -- the far right fringe haters and those seriously interested in working dispassionately, in bipartisan fashion for ALL Americans, this is a cause for celebration.
Republican Congresspeople have laxly let Trump rule, not checking the Executive. As a result, we have
no environmental protection, higher taxes for all but the top 1%, no living wage, trade wars, and dangerous nuclear policy.
Defying Trump should be the Republicans' honor.
14
If Herbert Hoover were President today, he would have shut down the Government to keep his campaign promise of, “a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.“ If that didn't work, he would declare a national emergency!
1
Having the Republican Party set the precedent for an emergency declaration is good for three reasons: (1) Climate change is reaching a near impossible state of reversal, yet the Republican Party is the only major party on the planet that takes no action so the next president could. (2) The crushing US debt used to juice the financial markets will have a bill come due, yet the Republican Party is the party that created the debt so the next president could start paying their bill to protect the younger generations. (3) The House could vote on the emergency declaration and force the Republican controlled Senate to do the same. Given the Republican Party controlled all branches of government and saw no need to talk about a wall, much less build one, it would shine a bright light on hypocrisy in the party of Trump. Yes, the party of Lincoln died in 2016 and will not return.
6
So the absurd Congress wants finally to do their job and stop the madness, we have been telling them to do this for two years. Yet, talk is cheap. If the Pretend King Trump declares a national emergency without us at War with anyone, do we allow it? Our representatives are not ours anymore, this has been made clear for some time now. They have enriched themselves and played God whenever they want or with whomever they want. We are left with nothing. So are we prepared to allow a Pretend King to declare an edict from his "golden throne" that could destroy all we have worked and all those soldiers have died to protect? Czar Putin is laughing so hard to see us do ourselves in, it would be surreal if WE actually did anything. This is our country and our White House and our Constitution. Did we forget? These elected officials are temps, we are the ones who endure the pain and the joy. We must make our voice heard because our silence would be complicit to their crime, the killing of our Constitution.
6
Trump's need for a physical wall is 1) symbolic to his base which is of primary importance to him except for his absolute, unabashed, #1 need which is to have something he can put his name on, and that won't work with a 21st century high-tech system.
4
Trump plans to bring victims, or relatives of victims, who may have suffered at the hands of a tiny number of immigrants. Their stories are tragic and heart rending.
But in no way does it automatically follow that all immigrants are bad, or that peasants from Central America are unjustified fleeing violence for legal asylum, or that immigrants aren't a net economic benefit to the economy, or that they don't pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits, or that there aren't many more paramedics, nurses, doctors, and other first responders who are undocumented but saving lives.
Trump's signature immigration issue is a sham perpetrated on a gullible minority of Americans. It's also right out of the right wing playbook pushed by Putin to destabilize Western democracies. I wouldn't betray my country for a $300 million payoff for a tower in Moscow, but Trump won't let a nickel hit the floor if there's a way to vacuum it up. (I will concede Trump could be a money grubbing, useful idiot whose ideas mysteriously align almost perfectly with Putin's.)
Trump's incompetence, incuriousness, and questionable loyalty are the top security threats to the country and the world. The wall doesn't make the top dozen. Trump's fourth rate staff and cabinet, climate change, environmental degradation, healthcare, infrastructure, the opioid epidemic, women's rights, systematically impaired voting rights, and income inequality are all greater threats to our country's future.
9
Trump made his border wall promise to his supporters - that is, the minority of Americans who voted for him. The majority of Americans don't see any point to a border wall and his "promise" is literally nothing to them. Trump is just preaching to his sycophants and no one else. Indeed, normal people are working hard to stop him from doing anything at all. The best outcome is that he is a lame duck for the next two years and does absolutely nothing.
5
What is wrong with Lindsey Graham? “The defining moment...” Really? He is so desperately-disengaged from reality.
11
If the republicans wanted the wall so much, then why didn't they pass funding for it when they controlled both houses? Now that the democrats control congress, it is all of a sudden the democrats fault? What?
10
@Brian
Paul Ryan lied to the President that's why. Ryan said he would bring it up in the House if Trump didn't shut the Government down the first time he could have. Ryan and the like so him, otherwise known as Never-Trumpers is the answer you are seeking. Where is he now? In the private sector just like anyone else who decides to oppose the wall will find themselves eventually. That includes Mr. McConnel by the way. It is not just here in the United States but most developed nations are turning to Nationalism. Nationalism minded candidates can and will replace every single Never Trumper who opposes the wall. Same with those democrats who choose to do so. 2020 will be a Tsunami of Nationalist candidates and if someone in office today says no to the wall, they will be swept out to the private sector to join Mr. Ryan.
@GregP Dictatorship and a repeat of World War 2 if "Nationalists" get their way. No money for the wall. No to Nationalism. Not in America. Ray Sipe
4
@Ray Sipe
Nice try but dictatorship does not arise from Nationalism. Yellow vest protests arise from Nationalism. people taking their country back arise from Nationalism. You will see it here, and in Canada, across Europe, the entire Western Cradle. AOC and her green new deal is what will bring your Dictatorship. How else do you expect to ban 'non-essential individual means of transport'? Yellow vests are already in Canada, how long until we see them here? They will be your fellow Americans when you don't recognize them not that I think it will matter to you.
It seems declarations of national security threats are the presidential nuclear options. It worked for Canadian steel and aluminum (tariffs suddenly made them ok) without having to support his opinion with evidence. Same with the wall.
5
Trump's position on The Wall demonstrates how desperately he wants approval from the likes of the so-called Freedom Caucus (the catalyst for the government shutdown over The Wall) and Ann Coulter. This is not leadership; it's a cry for help.
7
Once you open the gates for “emergency powers “ for the President it will allow future leaders to consistently sidestep Congress on all manner of issues. I frankly cannot see SCOTUS allowing this to stand (if it is a 5-4 decision I would expect Roberts, concerned with the Court’s prestige, casting the deciding vote. I wouldn’t be shocked however with a very lopsided vote against Trump)
5
@Steve Lopsided indeed! All 9 could well vote against this sham. I expect this is largely why the Repub leadership does not want to walk down this road. So much embarrassment!
1
“The Congress has failed to do its job — this Congress, last Congress...." Either Ms Conway is being disingenuous or she isn't familiar with the constitution and history of this country. The purpose of Congress is not to rubber stamp what a president wants. It is to serve as a check on a president, something McConnell and the previously Republican controlled Congress has neglected to do.
6
For a change Trump should listen to those officers along the border who understand the real dynamics of the situation. The officers who patrol the Texas Mexico border know that it is unnecessary and impractical to build a wall in this area of wild country. Anyone who has been in this part of the country knows this. Let the people who live and work along the border make these decisions, not politicians in Washington.
5
We can just give to Trump an imaginary wall. He will be okay with that because Julian Assange has been granted asylum in the Ecuador Embassy. Ecuador is named after the Equator, the IMAGINARY line. We haven't heard any complaints from Trump. Assange, we now know, was a key player in the Russian operation to undermine the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
II know this is trivial, but ever since Donald Trump began his run for the POTUS, and especially after getting elected, the gambling term (Blackjack, specifically) has been used repeatedly: "Double down". More to the point, I disagree with Senator McConnell's statement "This is the defining moment of his presidency". I think that moment has come and gone; plus, it will possibly be superseded by (potential) criminal charges, of which there are several examples which have been explored in the press. Why do you think Trump calls them "Fake News"?
1
It will be interesting to poll the number of households that actually have the stomach to listen to trump spout lies and exaggerations. Not this household.
2
Why doesn't somebody just photo-shop a wall into a border picture and then Trump can tell his fans it's done. They want to believe; they'll believe.
5
The Republicans are finally realizing that Trump only cares about Trump. He will do and say anything to fulfill his self image as all knowing and the greatest person ever irregardless of any long term damage it does the Republican party's long term image/reputation. The Republicans who cower before him and his virulent base today will rue those decisions in the future.
2
"... the president needed the threat of a declaration to pressure Ms. Pelosi." - Administration officials
What a brain-dead idea.
First, Nancy Pelosi isn't going to respond to "threats". That game is over.
Second, Pelosi likely would prefer this path to occur than not. It would trigger the legislative process which would force Republicans to vote against Donald Trump in an open forum, and would also trigger putting Trump's facetious claim that there is "an emergency" into the judicial system.
What a sweet, fat plum for Nancy Pelosi.
5
"But the president’s supporters continue to plead for unity."
The president and his supporters want "unity" on his/their terms, and only on those terms. That's not unity, that's an ultimatum: my way or the highway.
If the administration wanted genuine unity, there are ways to improve and reform the immigration system without a wall but with bipartisan support. But that would require good intentions and good faith negotiations on the part of Trump, which he has yet to show that he's even capable of. As it is, the administration will not get its "unity" or its wall.
6
Well, I'm sure building a wall won't affect Trump's undocumented workers at Mara Lago since they can always get there by boat - to the pier nearest Trump, which is what a cocaine supplier would do, especially if Trump is still on the stuff.
10
Yea...but...you don't have the votes for the wall. This is how the country works. There are legal work-arounds with EAs but they are limited in scope, such as not being able to reappropriate funds. So...you can't have your wall without disregarding the laws to protect the separation of powers. Maybe you should spend your time yelling back at your base in a way they can understand. Maybe this is what you get for inciting these stupid ideas with nonsensical rhetoric for the last 3 decades.
Assuming he does this, and the congress can't block him, and the courts uphold his decision...well then start the eminent domain suits. How much, if any, of this wall could reasonably be expected to be built before he is voted out or removed? But now you've set the stage for mass shootings as a crisis, climate changes, healthcare, income disparity, oh man...and the democrat in office will have all 4 years to implement whatever they want. And when they turn around and stack the supreme court and also appoint activist judges for lifetime positions now only needing a simple majority...don't cry about it...you brought us to the thunderdome...you've created this.
8
Hopefully, even if the Courts uphold the EA, I believe that this would take the remaining months of Trump’s term, and hopefully the Nation will have regained its sense and booted him out!
1
If there is any justice in the world, the Republicans in attendance tonight will all be wearing clown suits.
13
is the President really such a monomaniac about the invented Southern border emergency and his wall as a solution... or does the huckster just realize the issue plays well with his core supporters?
5
How stupid can the American people be? Hiding behind an ancient paper named Constitution that was created by well meaning men in the 18th century but is not adequate for the United States of our days. There is hardly anything not wrong with what you call the United States, which are not united at all but fall more apart every day. Yes, please do build a wall but around your own country. The world is fed up with you .
5
@pierre Hi Pierre,
Attack our country and see how far apart we are today. In a land mass our size with different economies, weather, local concerns ( drought vs traffic congestion, oil vs farming) we have always been a nation that has differences but pulls together under duress. I suggest we are in better shape than the European union which is how many years old and crumbling already. I will take our old history making constitution any time and guess what, that antiquated document allows you to have the opinion you just expressed, without any repercussions.
2
Re: Lindsey Graham's obsequious worship of Trump -
This week also saw Chris Christie give numerous interviews to promote his new book. Chris Christie is a smart man. It was shocking to watch him praise and defer to Trump over and over and over, blaming any problems in the Trump administration on Trump's associates Christie characterized as "amateurs, grifters, weaklings and felons."
Christie claimed if he'd stayed on the inside, he could have "helped" Trump, made the administration more successful.
Christie, who plans to run for president again, apparently isn't living in reality.
Trump threw Christie overboard before the inauguration and hired the "amateurs, grifters, weaklings and felons" instead of Christie -- because Trump preferred to be surrounded by
"amateurs, grifters, weaklings and felons."
Trump didn't want Christie around making him "better."
Trump has proven repeatedly that he likes the company of liars, kooks, grifters, con men and crooks.
Water seeks it's own level.
6
Is he really going to feature another rendition of his wall stump speech? Come to think of it, what would he speak about—he’s done nothing but roll back regulations that protect us, tweet and watch Fox News. Ratings for his primetime appearance will be sad.
4
It is unfortunate that Senator McConnell has no shame. He hasn't been living in a cave the past two years. Surely he cannot seriously cast blame on WH staffers, when they have to deal with a president who listens to no one about anything.
Donald Trump does not care about legislative or political perils because: a) he respects neither the Constitution, individual legislators, nor the concept of governance, as opposed to dictatorship; and b) he always blames someone -- anyone-- else when things don't go his way.
Last, but not least, McConnell's disingenuous hand-wringing over potential disastrous outcomes from the actions of the Tweeter-in-Chief are downright embarrassing. The honorable gentleman from Kentucky should know better.
9
Throughput history it is known that people and leaders who build bridges are glorified although they face all kind of difficulties;Gandhi,Rabin,Popes etc
2
An appeal for 'unity' behind a preposterous fantasy about prayer rugs abandoned in the desert, and abducted women restrained by blue painters' masking tape a child can break.
Makes sense though. This is how he has qualified supporters so far, from the very first moment as President. We did not see the line about crowd size as the serious tool it was; maybe we do by now.
3
Vote for the wall and stop the madness of the left.
2
@Ricardoh
The only "wall" Trump will get is Schumer and Pelosi. Let him go through that wall.
3
That Mr. Trump is still advocating for his "wall" is pretty troubling. First of all, his hope in a barrier of some kind can be easily defeated by some diligent workers with shovels and rudimentary tunnel supports. The concept has mutated into some concept of ugly mish-mash construction on our southern border that will be a testament for years to a president who can neither fathom nor execute viable policy. And most dispiriting is the continuing attempt by the R's in the Senate to humor him. The only consolation is that one way or another his presidency will end in the foreseeable future and this whole strange episode will recede into an historical footnote.
2
If the Dems do not protect our borders, it's time we have round the clock Military exercises along the full length of the border, even if we have to relocate some bases to the border / a Marine base right by the Gulf would be a good start!
1
@There for the grace of A.I. goes I - As you are a modern Republican, you just can't seem to avoid panicking over nonexistent emergencies and wasting military resources while ballooning the budget deficit. Reagan spins, violently, in his grave.
2
@There for the grace of A.I. goes I. Interesting name, however grammatically incorrect. You may not be aware that "Dems" have been involved in border security for decades, and have often felt as frustrated at the underfunded immigration process as you. You do realize that a "Marine base by the Gulf", as you put it, would occupy and guard but a tiny speck on a 2000 mile border?
@There for the grace of A.I. goes I
Why is this the dems fault? Let's recall that Trump was demanding a wall from day 1 of his "presidency" (if you can call it that) and as I recall the republicans controlled the house and the senate. The REPUBLICANS didn't give it to him, but now with the dems controlling the house for a couple of months it's all their fault? What?
2
I believe that the people of America want to deliver their own State of the Union address.
3
I was just at Tijuana, to visit the Baja, and it went fine.
Both Mexico and the US had border walls there, with a “DMZ” or “limbo” in between.
5 billion is not that much. Bush and Cheney would waste that much in a week in the Iraq War.
Also, have Mexico make one too, a double wall, like Tijuana.
Then, add lots of Tech, camera, drones, face scans, etc.
Put gps chips on folks if you want.
But make legal immigration Easier.
And make employers pay full payroll taxes etc on their work.
Employers like illegals: low pay, no taxes, no health care, no complaining about the dangerous work conditions that are breaking all the US safety regulations.
3
Except in reality it’s not 5 bill. That’s just for 220 miles in Texas. For the whole 2000 miles figure 9 times as much or 50 billion plus ( if the estimates are even right!) And this for a wall that wouldn’t keep out terrorists, nor drugs, and the refugee caravans actually want to get apprehended, because otherwise they can’t get asylum!
1
@Steve It would be an improvement over the status quo. It's better.
As if Trump cares about dividing the Republican Party.
Trump's out for Trump and only Trump. Nobody else.
If it could get him what he wants, Trump would take a match to the entire GOP tomorrow.
Remember Trump had 5 bankruptcies in his business career and jerked so many U.S. banks around that they cut him off and refused to keep loaning money to him. Lethal behavior for a real estate builder. That's how Trump wound up borrowing a fortune from foreign banks - putting him in the ethical & legal jam he's in now which threatens his presidency.
Trump has no plan or strategy except to do what his notorious gut tells him is good for Trump.
And he's been ridiculously wrong over and over and over.
But Trump's incapable of learning anything. If it feels right,
he'll do it. No matter how destructive, no matter how stupid.
The day Mitch McConnell takes Trump on in public and does anything Trump perceives as disrespecting him, that relationship is over.
Trump may take a match to McConnell eventually. He's done it to his wives, his business associates, to America's most trusted allies.
The GOP is dealing with a president with no strategy, no conscience and who doesn't care what they think.
A meltdown is coming.
Wait for it.
5
"Trump’s Path to a Border Wall Narrows Ahead of Major Speech"
Nancy says no! There is no path.
2
Trump is such a slick customer that it’s pointless to discuss anything that he says. He asserted that he would build a wall, a tall reenforced concrete structure, tall and as long as the border with Mexico. He asserted that Mexico would pay for it. It was a silly proposition from the start and next to useless without all the people and technology to monitor it and to guard the border. In fact much less costly and impressive barriers were all that were needed. But Trump’s base wanted a big wall, one which could be seen from space and would tell the people south of the border that this side did not welcome them in. Now he’s willing to accept a Cyclone fence and to call it his wall. He’s just a snake oil salesman.
But his loyal supporters now assert that all he every requested was border security and Democrats just want an open border. If there are any people less trustworthy than Trump it’s his supporters.
1
I believe trump is not the find the real threat from not having a secured border on our Southern front. It's not really terraced to worry about but the economic cost To our country. We are now spending give or take a 100 to a 145 billion dollars a year on illegal immigration. That means if we really enforced the Southern border and forced people overstaying their Visa limits we would have almost one trillion dollars to play with over 10 years to address climate change, give aid to legal Americans going to college with tuition assistance, a dressing the short caught short falls and so security and medicare. And the old man irony is we're going to the rest of the world because of our budget deficit to borrow money to let in immigrants that many of them have no job skills. Then we're having over the next 20 to 30 years to pay back the money we borrowed with interest and all these millions of people that should be here. Is kind of ridiculous when you think about it
1
Thanks for the heads-up on his theme of unity. The Trump administration and the Republicans led by McConnell have not promoted interests that would unite Americans: access to affordable quality education, health care, housing, childcare, clean air, clean water, etc. In the interest of getting the numbers for the party, Republicans have stoked the fires of division by opposing access to abortion, supporting access to guns, blaming Mexicans for the crimes and addictions of Americans, blaming China for the stunning income inequality Republican deregulation promotes. We need leaders who just want to do the morally right thing; that will never be Trump or McConnell.
3
"Mr. McConnell, according to three people familiar with his thinking, has grown increasingly frustrated with the White House in recent days, telling associates that he thinks members of the president’s staff have failed to adequately brief him on the legislative and political perils of moving ahead with a disaster declaration."
No, Mitch. They briefed him extensively during the commercial break between segments of "Fox and Friends", just before his mid-morning milk and cookies break
4
When I think of states of emergency this list comes to mind:
1) Climate change
2) Gun deaths
3) Opioid epidemic
4) Infrastructure erosion
5) Millions without even basic healthcare
6) Growing divide between the haves and the have-nots
But Building a border wall/fence/barrier/traffic cones on the Southern Border? Not so much.
One ex-pat commented that the Republicans should be careful what they wish for. Wise words.
8
Of course McConnell would dislike the declaration of a national emergency by Trump to sidestep congress to fund the wall. If Trump can do this then why have congress who is to control the purse strings under the US Constitution. The bigger reason however is that the majority of Americans don't support Trump's wall and find the declaration of a national emergency to avoid congress, negotiation and compromise as a move a dictator would make. McConnell doesn't want to expose republican senators to have to publicly vote on the resolution blocking the use of a declaration of a national emergency since enough will support it so that a majority of the congress supports it. Trump will then be forced to veto it which makes him look even more like a dictator.
1
A lot of the commenters here criticize the president for not offering room for compromise on the matter of his WALL for southern border security.
I have lost my enthusiasm for compromise on this matter. What I want, instead, is a best solution to the problems, as worked out by experts and supported by congress. Irresponsible cries for a "big beautiful WALL" used to fire up supporters at campaign rallies should have no place in serious planning as "compromise". That would be like compromising between antibiotics and a witch dance to cure a life-threatening infection.
3
you hit the nail on the head, I'm afraid. the core Trump base might suffer the antibiotics, but would put more "faith" into fervent prayer. Trump appeals to superstitious true believers with a weak grasp and fear of reality but depthless faith. he knows this, knows he can therefore sell them any snake oil, and uses them for leverage over the rest of his party which falls all over themselves trying to win the "more conservatuve than thou" sweepstakes come election day (and the contributions that make their participation possible).
2
Although everyone around the POTUS has been counseling him not to go down the declaration path, Mr. Trump only listens to his big stomach, oops, 'gut instinct'.
Remember, his motto is hit back 10 times harder. He will veto anything that doesn't include his wall, then declare the emergency against the wishes of the one man, Mr. McConnell, that he should be listening to, and then it will be "off to the races".
1
Forget the wall, let's just focus on border security which both sides say is needed.
As an aside, it is quite humorous that the Administration is crying that the Dems are being obstructionist when that is exactly what the Republicans did to Obama. Can you say Merrick Garland who was stonewalled a full year before the election!
5
The wall. The wall. That's all the demented and/or drug influenced Con Don can remember. Roger Stone planted the words into his brain so he would remember that their main fear tool is immigration.
How in the world can anyone give The Con Don and their International Mafia cartel ANY credence? They are common, demented, stupid crooks with stolen/inherited wealth - stolen from WE THE PEOPLE.
It boggles the mind of anyone who uses theirs.
33
@njglea
Many of us would rather watch Netflix, Amazon, Hulu or any other streaming or channel that will not broadcast it. Some of us may even play a game or read a book.
2
How many lies and mis-statements will we have to listen to tonight?
25
None, al. Don't watch or listen.
19
I will not listen to that man: I can't - it is too aggravating. Instead, I will have a quiet night, reading my recent library book and on Wednesday morning, I will listen to radio and read press reports.
He does not deserve to suck the time away from me that it would take to listen to his blather.
2
374 is my guess
2
I propose that Dems agree to provide 50% of Trump requested wall funding --but only as matching funding, $1 for every $1 Trump negotiates from Mexico.
16
@KCox . . .
Stop with the nonsense. The Mexican people are our neighbors and our friends. There will never be a wall.
3
@KCox . . .
No way! Only if Trump uses his own money to match Mexico's 50%. If he thinks the wall is so necessary to our safety that he is willing to close the government and hurt 800,000+ Americans and he loves this country as much as he claims, let his actions show it. Maybe he could divert some of the tax money his private company earns by paying Mar a Lago for his and his wife's trips there or the tax money that is being used to provide security for his sons and family when they go overseas for their private business dealings rather than government business.
@Jake News Too late - there is a wall along the border - just not continuous and not everywhere it needs to be. But, definitely, there is one.
Maybe we should just build a Wall around Washington DC? That'll fix all our problems, right?
11
Lindsey Graham is an awful human being. He once excoriated Trump in no uncertain terms. Today he's a lapdog of no remaining principles whatsoever. “To every Republican," Lindsey says, "if you don’t stand behind this president, we’re not going to stand behind you." That kind of threat is exactly the kind of Trump-fear covered in another front page article here in the NYTimes today.
42
Graham knows that Republican voters will not support any Republican office holder that confronts Trump so he takes up a basket of petals and showers the path in front of Trump with them. Ignore him, he’s an embarrassment to himself.
4
Go ahead and build the wall by declaring an emergency! That way the next Democrat president can use the precedent declare emergencies to fix gun violence, the national debt, opioid addiction, global warming and polluting our air and water.
33
It appears Senator Graham is painting himself into a corner.
15
And those mechanical hand gestures!
4
"The Emperor's New Clothes", is now vividly being lived out in the White House. He is increasingly isolated in a shrinking world of alone "executive time" and surrounded by sycophants who only reaffirm his perverted view of the world and himself.
22
Since Trump supposedly knows something about real estate, couldn't someone explain to him in one-syllable words, how costly, difficult, and time consuming would be the property acquisition necessary for eminent domain action on 900+ miles of private property, owned mostly by people who will not budge on a wall on their land?
Oh, wait; we are talking about persuading a witless fool who has no interest in governance, only celebrity.
23
Regarding the President’s upcoming SOTU address, we need to reflect on the recent partial government shutdown which lasted 35 days, where we are now, and on how we must move forward.
QUESTION: What did Trump accomplish from the 35-day government shutdown?
ANSWER: Trump made it abundantly clear that the DEMS really don't want to SOLVE any of our longstanding illegal immigration & border-crossing problems, including DACA! All Pelosi did was stonewall the POTUS w/o coming forward with any counteroffer to his reasonable proposals. And sadly, the slimly controlled GOP Senate knew that there just weren't enough votes to overcome the DEM's "do nothing" stonewalling strategy.
The DEM’s formula for border security = “sanctuary cities” (in violation of federal law) + “catch & release” at the southern border = an ongoing MAGNET and incentive for people to continually “game” and exploit the system at U.S. taxpayer expense = Arithmetic 101.
The media has covered this as a victory for Nancy Pelosi, with egg on the President's face...even though he waited in the WH throughout the entire shutdown while Pelosi and the DEMS either stayed home, or were off on a sun-drenched, beach vacation.
Frankly, the DEMS feel that they have nothing to lose by stalling and stonewalling the President; they’re just biding time until a DEM occupies the WH. So why should they want to "solve" these immigration issues now if their ultimate goal is OPEN BORDERS? Curious minds need to know!
1
@Vcliburn
Thanks for being a voice of reason and making such a well crafted post.
1
@Vcliburn
The word "curious" has 3 meanings:
1. (Archaic) made carefully.
2. Marked by a desire to learn.
3. Exciting attention as strange, unusual, or unexpected.
Examples of #3: ... Most Americans are concerned about the curious behavior of Trump and his loyalists.
Why do they not consider the behavior of white supremacists to be a threat to our country, when domestic terrorists ARE a real threat.
Why such a lack in curiosity they've never learned:
“Behind me stands a wall that encircles the free sectors of this city, part of a vast system of barriers that divides the entire continent …. [T]hose barriers cut across … in a gash of barbed wire, concrete, dog runs, and guard towers. Farther south, there may be no visible, no obvious wall. But there remain armed guards and checkpoints all the same--still a restriction on the right to travel, still an instrument to impose upon ordinary men and women the will of a totalitarian state. Yet it is here ... you have imprinted this brutal division of a continent upon the mind of the world. …
“Today I say: As long as the gate is closed, as long as this scar of a wall is permitted to stand, it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind….
“Perhaps this gets to the root of the matter, to the most fundamental distinction of all…. The totalitarian world produces backwardness because it does such violence to the spirit, thwarting the human impulse to create, to enjoy…..”
That was quite a Trumpian tirade. You covered all the bases including the use of CAPS.
But the offense you take at the Democrats for putting forth their opinion is misplaced. This is how politics works. Republicans got too used to unified government and didn't seem to have a plan for the Dems taking the House or Senate. So now you have to negotiate. And stop vilifying everyone who doesn't have your exact viewpoint. Remember, the American people "hired" Trump. He works for us, not we for him.
9
Make the democrats dream come true - open the border, no ICE in sight. But only do it in California
5
@AutumnLeaf I couldn't have said it any better or more succinctly!
2
@AutumnLeaf
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
During the golden age of emigration to America, our economy grew at a faster rate than at any other time in history. California, which you knock, is the home to more than half of all research, theoretical or applied, in America. We are the engine that drives American prosperity.
4
@AutumnLeaf
I doubt Trump would like that since the undocumented workers changing his bedsheets and washing the dishesin Mara Lago don't want to commute all the way to California.
2
Time to paint a room. I need something to watch dry tonight.
8
The only thing ‘major’ about il Duce’s speech will be how many bloopers, mispronunciations, and false news he utters (and what color Louboutins Melanie is wearing)
9
@Dump Drumph
Or not wearing as the case may be.
2
Build the Wall
2
@NYC Dweller Interesting how people thousands of miles from the southern border are the most interested in a wall that would destroy natural habitats and allow the government to use eminent domain to seize private property at diminished prices. People who actually live there don’t want a wall and don’t believe it’s necessary. I’ve lived in 3 states that border Mexico and there has never been demand for a wall in any of those places.
5
@NYC Dweller Nicely said, my friend! As the old adage goes, "Good fences make good neighbors"!
@NYC Dweller
There will never ever be a wall.
1
Lindsey Graham likes to cosy up to his hero's. John McCain was one.
1
@Phyllis Mazik
John McCain was an honorable man. He would not recognize this craven incarnation of his 'best friend.'
1
Can't wait for the unveiling of sensible new ideas from the president. I'll be glued to the telly. Sigh......
5
Lindsey Graham used to have, at least, appeared to have, some level of integrity. Sad and shameful to see him become a water boy for Trump's bigotry, lying and gross incompetence.
South Carolina, time to clean house, and his shameless opportunist Lindsey Graham should be the first to go.
18
Someone better give Lindsey Graham an injection of truth serum or something to see if he really believes the nonsense he's been spewing out lately about Donald Trump; either Trump has something really scandalous of Graham or Graham is really hard up to get a free membership at the Mar A Lago Country Club.
Lindsey Graham has turned into an unrepentant, Trump toady and bootlicker.
19
Nothing could more hilarious than the media threatening to provide "all day coverage" of Trump's so-called "address." What rational person would waste time listening to yet another raging river of fiddle-faddle from this ignorant fool?
But so I'm in tune with my fellow citizens on some level, I will set my TV to the Cartoon Network.
SpongeBob has it covered.
13
Maybe he can explain how Canadian aluminum is a threat to this nation and how Russian aluminum is not.
16
Amorality: allegiance to whatever policy prompts "screaming and yelling from our base". Nice "base" you have there, Republicans: ignorant, gullible, underproductive, overentitled rural whites politically organized by archaic constitutional vagaries created to appease slave states. Today this base lives on as the purposeless political equivalent of a bone spur. Republicans have ceased being leaders of Americans; they've become ideological slaves of an accidental base.
7
Oh, Lindsey Graham... What a pathetic clown he has become in Trump's side show. While I rarely agreed with Graham on most issues, I always thought he had more integrity. Apparently, he's just another lackey.
Toomey's comments are spot on, however. Declaring an emergency for something like the wall can set a dangerous precedent. Even if I believe climate change, drug addiction and guns need to be taken extremely seriously and are urgent causes that should be at the top of our national agenda, an executive order declaring a state of emergency for any or all of them would be risky. What's next, an emergency that bans people from Muslim countries, an emergency preventing women from seeking any form of abortion, an emergency making it illegal to raise taxes, etc?
7
Where was the "emergency" (on illegal immigration) when the Republicans controlled the House and the Senate? I will not be listening to his speech tonight. Trump is a liar.
21
If only Christo was still among the living. A new iteration of his "Running Fence" would make a lovely border fence. With the "big, fat beautiful door" that Trump promised to include.
1
@Judith
Christo isn't dead.
2
I will not watch or listen to Trump's State of the Union speech. I don't feed narcissists. I have no patience for lies. I'll get the recap from the NYT.
15
@Run Wild
Ditto
1
Why can't we give him a small piece of his hallowed "Wall" that he can brag about ad nauseam and put most $$ into better screening legal ports of entry where lots of contraband drugs enter. He's a big baby, give him a lollipop and a big crown. It's like dealing with Kim, he has to save face. Tell him he's the biggest circus in town and continue to govern around him for the good of the country.
2
We can let him brag about creating a big beautiful wall even if he hasn’t. Just like he bragged about the size of his inaugural attendance.
1
@Mary We could give him something but why should we? Why would we want to help him politically?
He is, by the way, already bragging that he's built part of the wall.
Speaker Pelosi is proposing to put money into better border screening for, among other things, illegal drugs.
By far the bulkiest illegal drug around is marijuana but is anybody really still smoking Mexican weed? When there's a glut of really good pot in California?
The point being that detecting the much smaller shipments of cocaine and heroin must be fairly difficult. Perhaps modern scanning equipment is up to the task.
@Jack Toner
Oh how about Kate Steinle or Molly Tibbets?
Don't care about them obviously? Guess who does? The President. Guess who else. Any body who is puts America and Americans first. Pelosi is having the time of her life. Trump is working hard to keep his promises. Guess which one will win the election in 2020?
Tonight, the August Chamber of the the House of Representatives will be hosting the State of the Union Address, and will be subjected to listening to, the in name only President of the United States, Donald Trump, the worst, most unqualified and ignorant man to ever hold the office,
I'm sure, he is not going to disappoint the expectations of those that know him for what and who he is. He will bluster and pontificate and constantly remind the audience what a successful and wonderful man he is. He will spew his ignorance and lies and xenophobia and his hatred and bigotry. He'll be, Donald Trump.
The man is an embarrassment. The man is the epitome of greed and sloth.
The speech, hopefully, will pass quickly. (If only Donald Trump would pass quickly.)
The Republicans will drool and slobber all over themselves in jubilation.
The Democrats will be silent.
10
There is nothing more irrational than a call for "unity" when the objectives of those calling for unity are destructive. The one quality Nazi Germany had in spades was that kind of unity. It's time to "Just say 'No!'"
6
State of the Union? Tell that one to Heather Hayer's mother.
Or the survivors of the Dylann Roof mass shooting.
I hope our newly elected Congress has invited some of the victims of Trump's domestic terrorist fans.
8
Too late Mitch. Trump gave you your judges and your tax cut. He even gave your wife a job. Trump has no further use for you. You should have known better Mitch : everything Trump touches is defiled. You were just too arrogant to believe you would be spared.
11
Lindsey Graham ... geez, anyone else feel like this guy went down to the crossroads to make a deal with the devil? An incompetent devil (Trump) at that!
9
" he thinks members of the president’s staff have failed to adequately brief him on the legislative and political perils of moving ahead with a disaster declaration."
Interesting phrasing. Isaac Asimov once pointed out that in a despotic regime where it was dangerous to criticize the king, one could get around it by criticizing his advisers, claiming tat they were misleading the poor king.
Trump is stupid. McConnell needs to admit it.
11
Once again; the man who would be king tries to subvert the Constitution in trying to bypass Congress in getting his useless wall. Even if Trump goes through with his idiot idea of declaring a "national emergency" over a pitiful band of refugees; it will be tied up in the courts for years. This is becoming more and more a pathetic attempt by Trump to please those morons (Coulter, Limbaugh,Etc.) who are far more interested in their paranoid pet projects than serving the real interests of the vast majority of WE The PEOPLE.
7
Blather on Donnie. I’m not paid to listen to your loud palaver for 80 minutes.
I’ll catch the edited condensed version on YouTube of just your weird breathing without all those lying liar words.
7
Nancy Pelosi to the Trump and the Republicans, "Go ahead, punk! Make my day."
6
What I expect from to hear tonight: hate, fear mongering and a bucket full of lies!
9
Compromise is a two way street.
For the last two years it has been "My way or no way" in the president's mind and he has been very fast to turn a screw or throw a jab.
No compromises needed in his world. Then.
Well, times have changed and the adults are now running at least half the government with republican defections daily and his walls closing in and looking for "compromise". He sends out his minions out, singing a song of comity. Kelly-Anne even can spell it: C-O-M-I-T-Y.
Will surprises never cease.
Again, there are many with long memories who ask where this new found religion the pres & GOP have adopted in a week since they got slapped around on the shutdown, and many more who have taken receipts on all the abuse the president and GOP have inflicted on the innocent and now say "It's our turn to set things right".
Godspeed in righting those wronged. Compromise was a two way street and it will again be one day, but for right now, there's work to be done.
1
"Tax cuts and regulatory reform ain’t enough. We want the wall."
Yes, of course, tax cuts and regulatory reform are not enough. Tax cuts for the rich and poisoned air, water and food have no widespread voter appeal. They serve only the GOP's corporate and super rich patrons, who fiance their campaigns but can't directly deliver votes. It's racism, sexism and xenophobia that Trump and the GOP use to bamboozle their voters into voting against their own interests. As currently constituted, the Republican Party will always need that Wall or something equally incendiary - anti-abortion, misogyny, homophobia - to stoke maddening, irrational hatred and resentment. They have long painted themselves into a corner from which there is no other path to power.
13
Look into Trump and family's financial interests in the companies that will bid on construction of "His" wall.
16
This entire national experience surrounding the wall, the 'debate' over the last few years (yes years), the posturing, the sketchy unfounded Trump promises and assurances about its necessity, all of it, this experience has amounted to be nothing more than a ridiculous waste of time and energy. It's time to move on, way past time.
7
Good news! Last night Senator Leahy on CNN said he was more optimistic about a compromise after the last two days of review of border and discussions with both parties. Senator Graham indicated that the BCP "experts" that will testify today are requesting a fortified slatted fence in ten sectors whose estimated cost is $5.7 billion. If so, and Pelosi comes to her senses, I believe such a compromise would get Trump's support and avert a National Emercency. So let's get it done...
The American people are waiting.
1
@OldTimer
Nope- want him to declare a National Emergency.
Then we'll get Climate Change, Gun Control, a functional EPA, Abortion Rights, real Tax Reform (for other than the 1%) and the list goes on and on.
The GOP has shut down the national dialog and in 2021 we'll get our wish list!
1
@peter
You failed to stop Kavanaugh with your Smear Campaign so how do you think you will do any of that even if somehow a democrat gets back into the Oval Office? Oh, yeah forgot, you are gonna pack the Court right? And the voters will go along by returning you to power? About as sure a thing as Hillary winning in 2016 I would posture
The alleged "threat" to the U.S. posed by refugees and immigrants is another lie, unsupported by actual facts. But another Republican government shut down to support this empty lie would do real and lasting damage to the Republican party, along with the rest of us. Senate Republicans need to consider which would be worse, a vote for a wall that a majority of the US agrees is unnecessary, or a vote to again shut down the government. The threat of loss of support in the primaries is false, Trump will cave when push comes to shove, and a vote to support the operation of the government will be an understandable and publicly supported rejoinder to any criticism. Republicans need to grow a backbone and tell Trump he is out of line.
9
Mueller’s mills grind slowly, but exceedingly fine.
--- With apologies to Longfellow.
5
I predict he will declare a national emergency during the state of the union speech.
Anyone else think so?
1
“It would be a bad precedent, I think, for the president to decide to invoke national security as a way to bypass a congressional logjam,” said Senator Patrick J. Toomey, Republican of Pennsylvania. “And I can imagine future presidents using that for purposes I would find very objectionable.”
Yes, Senator. Tit for Tat. And would you care to hazard a guess as to who, exactly, brought this state of affairs upon themselves?
5
The state of this union is painfully displayed for all of us daily, with every isolating, bombastic move this so-called president makes. We have our daily dose of vitriolic Tweets, his lying and alternative universe, his getting away with things no president in history would even attempt. In God's name, who would ever subject themselves to 60-70 minutes of his uninterrupted sputum, when there is other decent television being aired at the same time.
4
@B Colorado unfortunately the last vestige of "decent television" is PBS. On any commercial channel we are fed the same lies about sugar loaded and chemical loaded foods, the same lies about what you need to take into your body to fix one horrible ailment after another that is proven to be caused by the sugar and carb loaded foods being foisted on the American public by the massive corporations that control most doctors, that control advertising, that control most members of Congress through their rich donations for re-election. Who needs more guns? No one, but the NRA controls so many pockets and minds that the nation is armed to the teeth in the face of no threat other than other gun carryers, legal and illegal. This is a nation gone awry and money, greed, ignorance and fear are at the root of all this evil. Sad.
1
What will our response be if he declares a national emergency during the speech?
@Concerned Citizen
....knowing that in fact it is Trump himself who is the national emergency.
It's hard to stir passion over a wall. Framing the need for an emergency declaration around the large number of separated children in protective custody from their parents apprehended for illegally entering this country, would have been a slam dunk. As a developer, Trump spent too much time as a real estate developer dealing with only inanimate things steel and concrete.
Tonight we will hear a scripted President whom will sound presidential. Tomorrow morning we will see the real President when he will release his proclamation on his tweeter account. So do not waste your time tonight if you want to see the real Donald Trump. Just wait until his "executive time" tomorrow morning.
The big question that all American are waiting for an answer: Do Mexico will pay for the Wall? And how much?
What on earth is wrong with Patrick Toomey? Climate change and gun violence ARE already national emergencies!! But it wouldn't be necessary for another president to declare either of them as such; because by then there will be enough devastation and deaths from both those problems such that even the most hardcore Republicans will value their survival over their politics.
5
Trump and Republicans may prefer that Democrats devote their energies to opposing funding of the wall while they are off doing other things. There is only so much time available. Time devoted to anti-Wall activities is time not available to investigate other activities of the Trump organization and to prevent appointments and decisions that are detrimental to 99% of the citizens of the United States.
3
Unless.someone can assure me that Mueller will be in the audience and shout "you are fired", I will not be watching the next installment of Trump's reality TV show.
Trump wants an audience; attention - whether it be positive or negative. I for one have no intention of fulfilling his wish......
I need a good night's sleep!
3
I am not sure I understand the DNC Political Machine's "guilt trip" strategy. What is the goal? to what positive gain? Why does the DNC Political machine feel it is absolutely essential to whip a giant guilt trip on Americans?
Why should we be ashamed of ourselves for blocking people from entering the USA?
What is the positive outcome for the people that are ALREADY in the USA? We get to feel morally superior to the xenophobes? Thats it?
3
"That has some Republicans openly fretting that such a declaration would embolden a Democratic president to declare a national emergency on climate change or gun violence."
The difference being climate change and gun violence ARE national emergencies.
6
The one thing I can't agree with is that if Trump declares an emergency, future liberal presidents will start declaring emergencies at the drop of a hat. But seriously, have we seen Democratic politicians trying out weird hairdoes or wearing their ties wrong? This Trump is not setting examples people want to follow.
Wall or Medicare for All?
3
Trump has proven over and over he listens to no one. He will declare a National Emergency, and those Republicans up for re-election will overturn his decision.
I am hoping there is a very small audience for his speech, as all it will do is re-iterate his stands on everything from the Wall to how great he is on Foreign Policy.
A complete waste of time
4
Why nobody says that Mr. Trump's eaguerness for a Wall is most probably caused for the money involved and not for inmigration issues?
1
Nothing is more amusing than watching Democrats shooting themselves in the foot and then blaming their hobbled state on Russia. Ditto that for never Trumper Republicans who think if they can just keep the wall from being built they can banish this President in 2020. Here is the truth. Build the wall, don't build the wall, won't change who I vote for in 2020 and that person is Donald Trump. You will damage yourselves irreparably though just like you are doing with this nonsense Green New Deal and Puritanical Purging. When its Shock and Awe version 2.0 in 2020 please for the love all we hold dear do not blame it on Russia. It is now and will be then your own fault.
1
It's reported that trump doesn't read, but the rest of our Congressional leaders should reread the "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allen Poe in order to understand the absurdity of "Wall" debate.
2
The National Emergency dates back to when he took office.
8
Trump might be choosing to end his agony by going down with the "wall". That scenario would make him hero material..... for some. I'll settle for that way out of this mess.
US taxpayers build walls and enforce borders in numerous countries to protect other citizens from criminals and invasion.Time we spent our hard earned tax dollars at home to protect our children and families now.
“The Congress has failed to do its job — this Congress, last Congress and for quite a while to make sure that we have what we need at the southern border, which of course the centerpiece is a physical barrier, wall, steel slats,” Kellyanne Conway, the counselor to the president, told reporters.
Another unintelligible bit of blather from the indomitable Ms. Conway. Kellyanne's verbal formulations give Valley Speak serious gravitas.
3
Where are the receipts for the 1.7 billion he received already? Where are the receipts for the 300 million given to a contractor to hire 17 border patrol? This wall stinks of graft. The money will disappear. It's what the trump family does. Grift. I will be watching The Andy Griffith Show this evening.
6
Although the wall is needed to protect our southern borders and ensure America sovereignty, it may be a mistake to call a National Emergency to build it. Although National Emergencies have been called in the past, such as the issued by George W Bush, in the wake of 9/11, a National Emergency under we are still living, calling a National Emergency to build the wall, which is so much opposed by the opposition, would set a dangerous precedent. Because if the opposition ever regained the White House, which I hope never happens, the Left might use it to declare a ban on gun ownership or permit abortion at any time during the pregnancy, including allowing the infant to die after birth, which the Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, supported.
Along the border, sections of fencing and other barriers already exist, build with the full support of Democrat opposition. Why was it OK to build those barriers then but not now? Why is a wall racist and immoral now, but not then? Those questions illustrate the contradictions and hypocrisy of the Democrats, and why I will never vote for a Democrat again in my life. I support the President. I support Trump. America first! MAGA! Thank you.
13
@Southern Boy
I read that those sections of wall were built with both parties support after input from both local officials and experts. It wasn't from sea to sea because a lot of the sections would have gone right thru American citizens property and no one wanted that. I don't think it is a contradiction. Do you really want the military forcibly removing people from their homes to fulfill a chant at a rally? That isn't MAGA.
85
@Southern Boy
I agree, but if the committee accepts the BCP "experts" testifying this week, and requesting slatted steel fencing in ten sectors for $5.7 billion, there will be a compromise agreement as Senators Leahy and Graham forecast. With a deal there's no need for a declaration of National Emergency. I hope they're all right...
The American people have been waiting.
2
@Southern Boy - Our nation's "sovereignty" is threatened because we don't have a wall? Perhaps we should also close down our airports and ports of entry? After all, many more illegal immigrants arrive via airplane, and more drugs arrive via ports of entry. If not having a wall threatens our sovereignty, then airports and ports of entry should also be closed.
Why is a wall racist? It's not. It's people who constantly vilify Mexicans as the root of all evil, as rapists, murderers, and criminals, and who think that Mexicans somehow threaten our sovereignty. So, why not the same fervor for an "airport wall" to stop Europeans from entering with their visas?
122
Let alone the Nancy Pelocy blocked legislative path, the cascading effect of the recent developments seems to have made even the face saving midway exit too a tough task for Trump, who is caught between the dividing walls of the Congress.
Isn't this another one of those "Be careful what you wish for" moments"?
If Trump does get away with this emergency declaration, then Republicans should think about what the next Democratic President might do.
The article sights gun violence and climate change as two possible reasons why a Democrat might declare an emergency to bypass Congress. But how about an emergency declaration on the national debt, thus allowing the President to unilaterally raise taxes on the rich and corporations?
Senator Lindsey Graham, are you listening?
224
@Ex New YorkerThis reminds us of the retired Democratic leader Senator Reid and the nuclear option !
3
@Ex New Yorker
If you spend several weeks toying publicly with the possibility of invoking your emergency powers if Nancy doesn't cave, well it ain't a national emergency. He would not survive a legal challenge.
7
@Ex New Yorker
Great idea if we could actually have the chance to elect such a president - one who would make "an emergeency declaration on the national debt, thus allowing the President to unilaterally raise taxes on the rich and corporations". I would add that such a dream president would also cut our "defense" budget by half in the process.
3
In threatening to use emergency powers to build his wall, Trump is essentially threatening to go full on authoritarian. At some point what is at stake here is more than the wall but rather our whole constitutional system. Republican assertions that a Democratic president would resort to such unconstitutional maneuvers are absurd in the extreme and just one more attempt to normalize the authoritarian rule of Trump. Rather than denouncing a non-existent Democratic dictator, the Republicans should just simply denounce Trump for seeking an end around the Constitution that he took an oath to honor and protect.
261
@Barney Rubble
Last night Senator Leahy said the last two days have brought them closer to a compromise. The BCP experts want a slatted steel structure in ten sectors. The last approved appropriations bill has money left for 46 miles of fencing. From this might come a bipartisan solution the President could sign. An announcement of a deal tonight wou!d surprise and delight everyone.
1
@OldTimer Congress needs to come up with something that can survive a presidential veto, which will force Trump to sign it and use his con man skills to spin whatever it is into The Wall. That would be easier than spinning a veto override, and a failed declaration of emergency, into a Win. His base wants to believe him, so they'll swallow any halfway decent spin; the Limbaughs and Coulters of the US only have so much pull against Trump. If Trump had anticipated the push back and devised a line, the shutdown would never have happened; he got caught off guard, entered panic mode, and the rest is history.
Of course, all that presumes that Putin has no goal for Trump in this whole thing. If he does, that's what Trump will aim for, regardless.
2
@Barney Rubble...I wish you guys would make up your minds about the Constitution. One minute it's an abomination from the minds of 18th Century white supremacist paternalists. The next minute, the Electoral College is undemocratic [depending, of course, of whether or not a Democrat gets 270 votes]. Then, Wyoming has too two many Senators. Too much due process and presumed innocence. On and on and on. Now, Trump is end-arounding his solemn oath to defend the dastardly Constitution. Kaleidoscopic vertigo. Stop the spinning.
The president can do anything he wants. He is the most powerful man in the world. He has the nuclear codes. At least, that is Donald Trump's opinion.
He has been trying to make that clear to Republicans in the House and Senate for 2 years. Unexpectedly, some of them may actually have read Article One of the Constitution. Strangely, the Constitution does not designate the president as the most powerful man in the world. That development did not happen until World War II. No wonder Trump is getting confused when it turns out he simply can not push Congress and the courts around as though he owned them. What fun is that? My suggestion is that he just quit and go play golf. He is certainly better at that then he is at being president, which aint saying much.
241
If the president can declare a national emergency any time they want to bypass congress, then what exactly separates the US from a dictatorship?
All of congress, Democrats and Republicans both, need to make it clear they will override any any attempt to abuse executive power in this manner. Otherwise, they might as well pack up and go home because America is no longer governed by them.
340
@Mr. Adams
Congress applauded vigorously when our Presidents went to War against North Korea, Vietnam and Iraq. Congress rarely has problems following our Presidents into War. So much for separation of powers.
16
Trump needs the threat of an emergency declaration to pressure Nancy Pelosi? He thinks he can command national unity regarding a wall? Walls divide. Mansplaining threats to Leader Pelosi are laughable. She doesn’t answer to him. Running roughshod over the Constitution by taking private property with the idea that he can take what he wants before that third equal branch of government has any kind of say about might well be indicative of how things work when you own the company, but Mr. Trump doesn’t own the country. Having to rely on attempted intimidation and threats simply prove that he’s not even running the Executive branch very well.
301
@Vanessa Hall
I would say he is corrupting the executive branch by any means he can devise.
20
@Vanessa Hall
Having to rely on attempted intimidation and threats simply prove that he’s not even running the Executive branch very well.
He's never run it.
6
So Lindsey Graham says this is “the defining moment” of this presidency? It sounds more like it is the defining moment of this Congress.
The very first article of the Constitution gives the power of the purse to the legislative branch of our government, not to the executive, and there is no constitutional exception for emergencies. Does this Congress really want to be the one that handed over the people’s checkbook to the president to spend as much as he wanted, whenever he wanted, for whatever he wanted, so long as he claimed “national emergency”—unchecked by truth or even plausibility? Is this Congress really willing to be defined by such an unprecedented abdication of constitutionally reserved power?
431
@Steel Magnolia
And a democrat president can then call healthcare, gun control and climate change as emergencies and get funding for that.
Go for it GOP....
24
Sorry, Manderine, but two Constitutional wrongs don't make a Constitutional right.
Trump has acted so rashly and violated his oath of office so many times already that this action that it will come as no surprise if he does try declaring a "national emergency." If he does, it should become another charge in the Articles of Impeachment that he so richly deserves.
22
@Steel Magnolia: "The whole idea that a president — whether it’s President Trump or President Warren or President Sanders — can declare an emergency and then somehow usurp the separation of powers and get into the business of appropriating money …"
So NOW they are going to try and teach high school civics to trump? They should have done this before day 1. It would have life much easier on everyone if he would have been taught that the American government consist of three separate, but equal branches. He thinks he is the boss of everyone and they all have to kiss his feet.
Not in this lifetime fat don.
1
At least when Bush decided to invade Iraq you could follow his logic, whether you agreed with him or not. Trump's statements about a border crisis don't make any sense. He cites "caravans", but these are people who are going to show up at an entry point and ask for asylum. They are not going to be deterred by a wall in the desert. He cites "crime" but illegals don't really commit much crime. It's true that if they weren't here then technically there would be less crime but you could take any 10 million American citizens and make the same exact argument. It's just not a crisis in terms of crime. Finally, people keep talking about "taking jobs" which is another poor argument. Any economist you care to talk to (except for Larry Kudlow who is actually NOT an economist) will tell you that you have to look at the whole picture - more people employed translates into more GDP. No study shows a negative effect of immigration on GDP.
I live 60 miles from the border. I often sleep within three miles of the border at an astronomical observatory that I own. I have never had any problems with "illegals" in close to 9 years. When the recession hit, the only people who came by my house looking for work were illegals. Unemployed US citizens weren't interested in weeding my avocado grove. So, not only do I find Trump's statements illogical but they are at odd with my own experiences.
There is no crisis around here, that's for sure.
527
@Ross Salinger Trump’s staging a “security crisis” at the border by sending troops there, like it’s a movie, and scripting his fear mongering wall propaganda using scenes from an actual movie that depict prayer rugs at the border, smugglers with super cars and duct taped women, exactly as he’s described. He’s also created a real humanitarian crisis by metering asylum seekere, and detaining them for months in awful conditions rather than releasing them with an e-tracking device, which is also far less costly than detention (and contrary to Trump’s claims more than 90% show up in court). Meanwhile, he disregards very real crises, including ones named by his own intel chiefs—who didn’t mention the border. For instance, the Russians having the cyber warfare capabilities to shut down our power grid—which they’ve already breached, along with our nuclear power plants—and the Chinese our gas pipelines, anytime they choose. It’d be bad anytime, affect financial systems and air traffic control, but imagine that during a polar vortex. There’s also the ones he promised to fix, our crumbling infrastructure and the opioid crisis, that’s primarily fueled by prescription drugs and that he decided to address with a rehash of the failed Reagan era TV ad campaign, telling people to “just say no,” instead of declaring a national emergency as recommended by his own commission. Trump should be added to the threat assessment as one of the major national security threats facing this country.
41
@Ross Salinger
The crisis is Trump.
30
@Ross Salinger Mid-January I enjoyed a very nice Friday nite happy hour in Tijuana, just over the border, followed by dinner in Rosarita Beach, 30 minutes south or so. Didn't see any crises or national emergencies. Did see a lot of our CBP officers, working and not getting paid.
28
Facts on the ground not illusory political posturing need to be guiding discussion, here are some:
1. There are places along the 600 mile border where reinforcement building new wall would be of some utility
2. The border between San Diego and El Paso is mostly walled already much of it built by Bush II
2. Most of the 600 mile unfenced border is inhospitable territory where people rarely cross now.
3. The Rio Grande on the southern border shifts location during flooding so the border is unstable.
4. The river bed is mostly sand and not suitable for building fencing. The unfenced area is privately owned and will have to be taken by eminent domain. This is very unpopular for the residents,
5. It might be good for a commission to be formed to draft detailed plans, neither the executive nor Congress nor the media seem to have the expertise.
8
It is a little too little too late.
I sincerely hope that McConnell gets some of his own medicine in 2020.
He is the one man in America who gets to sit next to Trump in future history books as the major enabler of every crisis the world is facing.
7
In fact it was in part thanks to McConnell who refused to put Obama's Supreme Court nominee up for a vote that escalated the current level of conflict in Congress. That was an appaling act of bad faith.
2
Why would I watch his State of the Union speech when there's much better fiction offered on other channels?
6
You're better off re-watching the Super Bowl
1
This is pretty close to an origination clause issue if Trump re-directs tax money to the "wall."
It is definitely a violation of the constitutional role of Congress to tax and spend citizen funds.
Very interesting that Trump's first clearly impeachable offense will be this "emergency excuse" to direct taxation expenditures to the "wall" in violation of Congressional constitutional power.
6
If Mr. Trump makes a National Emergency Declaration regarding this wall, will that open the doors in the future for others to declare National Emergencies when it comes to items such as Voting Rights, Guns and Medical Care for all?
3
So Republicans are suddenly concerned about separation of powers? Funny, because they certainly weren't the first two years of Donald Trump's presidency. What changed? Oh right, the Democrats won the House, are starting to serve as a check on Trump, which is Constitutionally correct, and public opinion is positive about it.
9
Trump's wall is clearly not going to happen as he envisions it. So now his goal is to appear to his base to be doing everything possible, including declaring a phony emergency, so he can claim to have tried every option and then blame others for it not happening. The real job of border security and immigration reform falls to Congress.
5
To adopt the wise advice of Colin Powell in a twisted way, Trump could say "We broke your country, so we bought you. No returns accepted." This is where lies have taken us.
The political devices of the country have worked to benefit the extremes of the political parties; the primary election pluralities work in favor of the hard core at the expense of centrist views, the outdated electoral college works to elect minority vote supported candidates and never for enlightened considerations as originally thought in a land where months on horseback, not the speed of electricity shared information, and we are left with intellectually, morally, and several-times fiscally broken man driven by talk shows rather than information and historical consideration.
Listen to him? Not a chance.
2
I genuinely hope Trump goes through with declaring a national emergency. This would give precedent for the next president declaring an emergency on something that actually IS an emergency: climate change.
4
Wall, Wall, Wall--so 20th century--El Chapo was, if I am not mistaken, in 2 "mega walled" prisons and guess what--. Tunnels, Tunnels, Tunnels are the "way to go". Any talk of how to address the very creative way of drug traffic via tunnels? There are so many intelligent paths to modern problem solving but unfortunately those paths are being thwarted by old fashioned and sometimes dangerous distractions.
It's a little late in the game for Republicans to be worrying about setting bad precedents. That ship sailed a long time ago, when McConnell blocked Obama's constitutionally established right to fill the seat on the SCOTUS which opened when Scalia passed away. And the damage was reinforced when Republican state legislatures, following the election, passed bills deliberately intended to prevent newly elected Democratic governors to do what a majority of voters elected them to do. Even without an emergency declaration by Trump, the Republicans have already demonstrated amply that there is absolutely nothing they will not do - no depths to which they will not sink - to stymie the will of the majority of voters in the United States. For them to suddenly begin worrying about overplaying their hand strikes me as ludicrous. The American people are wise to Trump and, increasingly, they are wise to his minions and enablers in the Republican party.
5
This is the essence of Republican "dirty tricks", their desperate moves to defeat democracy. Isn't it ironic that this party has sided with extremism, has defied the will of the majority and enabled the insidious trend and efforts by the current POTUS towards an authoritarian and dictatorial form of government.
There is of course so much worse going on within this republic; corporations driving the nation and the globe towards ever worse conditions in human health, global warming, destruction of habitat and extenction. The list of horrors inflicted on mankind and the planet and even outer space is truly appaling. Is mankind doomed to ruin the planet that gave us life by his own means?
Trump and the Republican party are very much to blame for the race downhill.
2
He may be able to convince people willing to be deceived into voting for him or believing he is a business genius, but there is no possibility that he can convince more of the population given the past two years. His wall arguments have all been demolished. Repeatedly. Who is going to be convinced now?
1
Go with the Nike slogan...Just Do It. It is clear that both the Democrats and the Republicans want to improve the border wall and stem illegal migration from the US southern border. We have seen the videos. The only stumbling block is nauseating - the Democrats do not want to give Trump a win. So, declare and emergency, build what is needed in terms of border security and start saving tens of billions a year in supporting illegal immigrants healthcare, public assistance, and housing.
what's the matter? afraid the "caravan" of marauding mothers and children is going to walk all the way to Connecticut and disrupt your lily- white life?
3
@RCS
I like it. Let's base all of our decisions on advertising slogans. I'm sure that will be Constitutional.
Your grasping for support from a sneaker ad suggests a certain desperation...
2
What is the solution for the situation on the Southern Border? Wall alone will not solve it. Wall represents a simple solution for a complex problem. The drug and human trafficking problem is real, and the Caravans can come in at will. The Trump base will be satisfied if these problems are resolved by any means.
There is no news space devoted to options put forth. A balanced Congressional hearing will be good.
2
Our top intelligence people just spoke about the real dangers threatening America, and the southern border was very far down their list. To the limited degree that illegal immigrants and drugs cross the border, they come through hidden in cars and trucks. So a wall will be ineffective. What is really needed is more border agents armed with better technology, solutions which Democrats have embraced but Trump has resisted in his nonsensical It's-The-Wall-Or-Nothing approach.
Give McConnell credit for realizing the damage that will be done to our country if the President can assume dictator type powers over a nonexistent crisis. I opposed George W Bush's use of executive orders (a record number at the time); I opposed Barack Obama's even greater use of executive orders (even though I deplored the Republican Congress's oppose everything attitude during his administration); and I oppose Trump's use of executive orders as well. Congress needs to take back its role and legislated. Having said that, this phony national emergency things is far, far more destructive to our democracy.
3
After all of this time and political rhetoric members of Congress are finally going to bring in real "experts" to finally declare what is needed for real border security. We've listened to Trump for months talking about his "wall" and we've listened to Pelosi talk about the immorality of a "wall". They are both talking politics and not real border security. Time to stash the egos and do what is right for the good of the country.
1
The Wall. The centerpiece of his campaign will not be built.
As The Wall goes, so goes his presidency.
No wall, no President Trump in 2020
If he declares a National Emergency The Senate will defies him.
He’s in a loose loose scenario.
He’s circling the political drain.
This paper tiger president is done for.
He earned it.
4
The biggest disappointment to me has been Lindsey Graham's complete abandonment of doing what's right for the country and pressuring his fellow Republicans to do what's right for Trump. I have yet to hear any sound reasons in favor of a Wall come from a single Republican. No wonder the country is opposed to the Wall.
2
Lindsay Graham is terrified Trump will reveal his deep, dark secret. the joke is, most of us already know it
3
The focus on criminal/treasonous behavior needs to be broadened from just the Trumpovs to include the republican senators that aid and abet the Trumpovs. What can be their motivation? According to the Palmer Report of September 1, 2017, McConnell, Graham, Cruz, and Rubio have accepted Russian rubles. Could that be a motivation?
1
Americans love their walls. If it isn't gated communities in rich neighborhoods, then it's big slabs of concrete that line major highways across the nation. The photo that accompanies this article doesn't look that much different than parts of I-78 in New Jersey.
2
Notice Trump never condemns the people who illegally hire undocumented immigrants.
That's because he himself hires illegal immigrants.
An obvious solution to reduce illegal immigration is pressuring employers to enforce E-Verify.
2
Challenges from the Republican Party combined with legal challenges from the Democratic Party mean that this wall will be a long time, if ever, coming. As the Republican Party has made clear through its leadership this is a very dangerous precedent. Pardon me, this is a very dangerous president.
11
Trump's speech will be a rehash of every speech he's ever given. The same calls for sealing us all inside his wall, closing off our country. He'll probably reference his withdrawing from trade and climate agreements, which serve to further isolate us from other countries, who will go on to make agreements among themselves that the US is shut out of. Trump's aim is to fashion the country like himself--alone, closed off, wondering the halls in his bathrobe. If it wasn't so painful to watch Trump attempt to read a teleprompter I might watch the SOTU just to see what the Democrats get up to. But, since we've heard it all before, over and over and over, I just can't.
47
@Ms. Pea
I can't imagine anyone caring what that dolt has to say by now.
3
It will be interesting to see if Stacey Abrams responds to Trump with a point by point refutation of begins by calling out his buffoonery at the start and scorning it and then moves on to a full throated call to arms for Americans to demand that government embrace our hopes and cast off our fears.
There may indeed be a Boogie Man waiting top pop up but if so he isn't in the form of people trying to reach the US and file asylum claims...
10
Stacey Abrams has nothing to do with running this country, she was defeated, remember?
Point-by-point refutation merely validates the troll. Ms. Abrams is smart. She'll go a different way.
You know what would give brutus Trump some standing? Declaring that his 'wall' was a ploy to fool his 'base' into voting for him (in spite of his awful long-standing history of deceit)...from the very start. And that he knows better know, that he cannot fool them anymore, is feeling remorse'; and is willing, wholeheartily, to listen to reason and common sense, and work cooperatively with both parties for the good of the country; and call immediately to form a committee to start a real immigration reform. I know, dreaming is cheap, but a stroke is always possible (I meant, a stroke of luck, of course).
5
@manfred marcus Wish u were right but a recent poll found support @ 48%. That means each and every one of us needs to have a conversation w our friends and relatives.
@manfred marcus
Fundamental problem- he can't listen. He can't process any significant amount of information.
1
His mantra that "his wall" will effectively reduce drugs, rapes, murders, and duct-taped human trafficking is the same as his previous mantra, "invest in my casinos, I know more about gambling than anyone in the history of the world! That I can tell you."
If the killing of reporter Mr. Khashoggi was acceptable because of the billions spent by the Saudis on U.S military goods, surely a tiny flow of criminals is a fair exchange for the many strawberry pickers and toilet cleaners that America gains by the current border policy.
26
@Samm well put!
The Great Negotiator!
Because Trump has spent his life bullying those who didn't inherit his power and wealth - for example, his employees and contractors - that's the only way he knows how to act. When the tantrum and threats don't work, he has no idea what to do.
As for listening to this guy lie, threaten and moan for another hour on TV? No thanks.
35
Put them on record for promoting the forced-confiscation of private property as they must use Eminent Domain to build their wall.
This is yet again a clear indicator that they actually stand for NOTHING and that there are no principles that they will promote, other than whatever is momentarily the most expedient for their purposes.
30
If the government does use Eminent Domain to take private property on which to build their wall, it must follow the Fifth Amendment in the U.S. Constitution:
“nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation”.
Add paying for property to the cost of the wall!
4
@Thomas Payne The wall serves as an excellent distraction from all the felonies surrounding Trump, his gross mismanagement, and the terrible tariff, shutdown and tax failures.
2
Is there a reason for Mr. Trump delivering his State of the Union speech on the first day of the Chinese New Year? Some Chinese media are viewing that as Mr. Trump's throwing in the towel in his tariff war.
5
Ask Nancy P. She is the one who orchestrated it.
1
@Eddie B. First, as my Korean friend corected me, it’s Lunar New Year. Secondly, Trump wanted to give the SOU in January, but Nancy wouldn’t permit him to do so. And lastly, the majority of Americans do not celebrate Lunar New Year and often don’t know when it’s occurring. So your point is ridiculous.
1
I well remember when during the SOTU speech by then President Obama a voice came loud and clear from the audience, "you lie".
Now a proven egocentric liar will stand before the nation to state his case. A man who has tested the autocratic waters every chance he gets only to face defeat, back against the wall, will, if past performance is a guide, attempt to regain the illusions he often claimed to be the one in charge because he knew more on each and every topic and issue a president faces. If this is the tone, a quick click will change the station. Would it be appropriate for the Speaker of the House to quietly take exit, followed by members of her delegation.
21
That would be following the Republican playbook and be a terrible precendent to set by the party that we hope, has a chance to regain the respect and position of responsible leadership the nation so sorely needs.
@Paul
Appreciate your sentiments completely. It may be bad precedent, but in the 60 years of voting, both democrat and republican presidents, have I ever experiences such visceral dislike for man such as the psychotic narcissist that occupies the WH today. I may be guilty of allowing emotion to cloud judgment but as I'm concerned, respect and responsibility will never be achieved with him in office.
Democratic leaders need to continuously make clear......Trump makes promises he cannot keep.
He will build a wall and Mexico will pay for it. He will replace Obama care with something better. Everyone will be covered. Pre-existing conditions will be covered. Trade wars are fun and easy to win. You are going to win so much you are going to get tired of winning. Trump and Trump alone can solve your problems.
It is not the responsibility of the Democrats to cover for him when it becomes apparent he cannot deliver on his ridiculous promises.
49
@sceptic We still want to keep our doctors, too. Don't forget that!
1
Senator Graham, the head cheerleader of all things Trump, needs to quit pandering and hoping for a cabinet appointment and do a reality check with his colleagues.
28
@Dan Just last year, when Republicans controlled Congress and could’ve voted to fund Trump’s wall, Lindsey Graham said the wall “wasn’t a good investment.” Amazing what a difference a year, more access to a president than he’s ever had before (something he recently touted) and the potential for a cabinet position can make.
6
@Dan
Lindsey doesn’t want an ephemeral cabinet appointment. He’s snug as a bug in a rug in the Senate. The little feller probably expects to one day step into McConnell’s shoes. And no matter what, his Senate seat is quite sadly about as safe as they come.
@Theresa L.
John McCain is probably somewhere, watching Lindsey twist and contort to not draw the vex of an imposter president, wondering where his former friend's spine has gone.
McCain shakes his head and sighs.
1
This whole standoff is surreal.
Trump and Co. keep hammering at the Democrats for refusing to negotiate, and at the same time say that anything short of his full demand is a waste of time. Huh?
I think that Trump really really wants to use his power to declare a national emergency, against all advice. He can't help himself.
I have yet to hear him tell Americans how taking 5.7 billion dollars from other projects, for a wall that will take a long time to build, will do anything to mitigate these caravans of terrible people who are heading for the border as we speak.
The more he throws at this failure-in-waiting, including thousands of military personnel, the more desperate and disconnected he and his enablers look.
23
The president of US and some voters want a wall. So what?
Unless congress votes for the wall or we throw out the US constitution, there will be no wall. Those who will scream and yell if they don't get "their" wall should be treated like kids having a tantrum. Let's give them a warm bath, a cookie, and a nap.
31
@ANNE IN MAINE Children who cannot control their anger and outbursts are given a weighted blanket to wrap in so that they cannot move, yet feel secure. They are able to calm themselves. There needs to be a staff member in the WH with one of these for trump, and authority to use it.
2
With apologies to Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones...
"If you build it, They Won't Come."
4
In reading these comments, I am really beginning to think liberals are either very dumb, or at the least easily manipulated, they have attached a political identity to a Wall designed to protect the American people. The "New" democratic party is so easily manipulated, so easily out-foxed, and its because its not a real political party its a coalition party of all kinds of people loosely banded together, and each really doesn't trust the other. The republican party on the other hand is tight and together, we stick together, and we know when the going gets tough our fellow Republicans have their back, while Democrats are ready to boot out the duly elected Governor of Virginia over a photo taken in jest 34 years ago. We laugh at you. Four more years.
6
@Lonnie, "the wall" was never meant to "protect the American people". It was a tool his campaign came up with that was simple enough for him to understand and throw out to his simplistic base of supporters.
5
@Lonnie
"The republican party on the other hand is tight and together, we stick together,"
"Republican aides have estimated that between three and 10 Republicans would side with the chamber’s Democrats against Mr. Trump."
Reconcile the two please.
4
@Lonnie Are you purposely saying the exact opposite of the status quo? When I think of the Republican Party, the last thing that comes to mind is that they are “tight and together” - yes the ones that have stuck it to their constituents are “sticking together” with their wealthy donors while they let an incompetent and corrupt president wreak havoc all over the Constitution. There’s a reason why the Democrats won the House during the Midterms-Americans are tired of how the GOP is allowing Trump to do whatever he wants so they can foist their own political agenda on America for years to come. Most of the GOP doesn’t want a wall. It will in no way make us safer. We all know that. We will be safer when Trump is out of the WH. The Democrats are now the ones laughing.
1
Every time I read a Graham quote, I ask myself, "What damaging information does Trump have on this man?"
37
@RCChicago, amen.
1
Jeff Roe doesn't understand that the screaming and yelling base represents just one-third of Americans. The rest are against the wall.
21
@Chip Steiner: Yes. And the screaming and yelling aren't exactly a grass-roots demand rising from people's felt needs. This is about people at rallies, being whipped up into a frenzy by Trump himself. By now the phrase has taken on a life of its own, and if you asked them, they might indeed say they wanted a wall along the southern border. But if you talked to them in more depth, you might find that they want respect, prosperity, security, an end to the opioid plague...
It's more complicated, but that will do for a rough sketch.
5
trump has been talking about a wall, that Mexico was going to pay for, going on 4- 5 years. Good luck with your emergency crisis declaration. it will be challenged in the courts, and you will loose. if there had been a true emergency, then why didn't you do anything on day two of your swearing in ceremony? no one else in your position waited to 4-5 years after a hurricane, tornado, wildfires etc, to declare an emergency, because they were indeed Emergencies. Just recently there was a measles out break in a state, to which the Governor declared a emergency crisis, because it was.
17
Not going to listen to the State of Union Address. I've already heard enough hyperbole, deflection, and downright prevarication. I don't need to listen to it for another hour.
39
@VM I'll avoid the spectacle and read the transcript.
3
I know I've asked before. But no one has answered. And with the State of the Union it is all the more relevant.
Trump traveled all the way to Iraq to lie straight into the faces of our uniformed military personnel. Lied to their faces about their pay. Something you can bet they know about. He lied. Period. To the people who were serving in combat. He couldn't even not lie about something as trivial as hamburgers.
For those who believe, what makes you think you are any better than, or different from those troops or a championship team, that Trump won't be lying to your face as well tonight?
23
Trump keeps contradicting himself, often in the same breath. "“We’re building the wall right now. A lot of people don’t know that, but we have a lot of wall under construction. We’ve given out a lot of contracts....On Feb. 15 the committee will come back, and if they don’t have a wall, I don’t even want to waste my time reading what they have...Democrats, despite all of the evidence, proof and Caravans coming, are not going to give money to build the DESPERATELY needed WALL...I don't care what you call it, you can call it peaches if you want to....Let's stop playing games and call it a wall."
But where are the pesos for peaches?
13
The Democrats supported a wall when Barack Obama was in office. Now they oppose a wall and Nancy Pelosi said she would not give one dollar for the building of any wall. Why is there such strong opposition to President Trump's border wall? They do not want any wall or any other bill passed that President Trump supports. Their hate is so strong that they are willing to put Americans safety in jeopardy. People voted for President Trump because of this promise and he will deliver.
3
@WPLMMT
A. I believe what was sought under Obama and Trump are different.
B. Why is it that Americans in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Appalachia fear American's safety but those who actually live along the border in border communities do not? Certainly not enough to give up their property for it.
C. People voted for a Democratic Congress because of the dangers President Trump represents to this country.
D. People voted for President Trump because of a promise that he can't deliver that he would build a wall AND MEXICO WOULD PAY FOR IT. They screamed "Mexico" right back at him at the rallies.
So why aren't his supporters such as yourself not demanding that he keep his promise that Mexico would pay for the all so we all don't have to? Maybe they just figure the blue states will pay for the wall like most everything else? Or did they know that was a lie all along?
27
@WPLMMT
And there was a lot of wall built - are you seriously suggesting that there should be a wall from one end of the border to the other?
Doesn't Trump even realize what Reagan said about that? A wall that divides a continent is totalitarianism.
Or haven't you even heard of Ronald Reagan.
No one in his or her right mind supports a wall at this stage. And when it comes to Donald Trump, I mean that literally.
18
@WPLMMT Trump has two years to build a wall. At one point Pelosi & Schumer offered a bill that included money for the wall. At the last minute, Trump backed out. Why should they trust him any longer? Most of America doesn’t want to spend the huge amounts to build this wall. It’s time to move on.
5
Trump created his own emergency. And much of it is happening in Tijuana, Mexico. The Mexicans also allowed all these people to traverse their country. The fact is while all this is happening border patrol had the biggest drug bust of fentanyl at the Nogales, Arizona border hidden in a false compartment of a truck of cucumbers. The dog smelled the drugs. Imagine that! $5.7 billion could pay for many dogs and their food. Plus dogs don't get a salary or pensions. So it's a great investment.
And here in Brooklyn the El Chapo trial reveals how drugs come in. Not over the desert as Trump claims. They come in at ports of entry where they bombard the checkpoints so that eventually some drugs will get through even though some would be found. And they also come in by tunnels. I came through the border at Tijuana in a passenger van many years ago. Customs checked to see who's who. There were no women with duct tape over their mouths in the van. Also when I drove up from the border in a rental car there is a checkpoint where you must slow down for border patrol. That was about half hour drive north of the border. And anyone foolish enough to walk through the desert risk dehydration and death. And the proof is the amount of human skeletons found in the desert with migrants personal effects.
12
@Wayne And we know this because ElChapo is going to spill all the info and not leave anything back or try to protect his cohort? You know he's a criminal, right, not always truthful?
1
@Margo El chapo is on trial. He has the privilege of the fifth amendment. No we don't know that because he was not foolish to sit up there in court and testify. People who worked for him testified against him and told how drugs come into the country. That's how the federal government convict big time criminals by using testimony from people who know them very well.
Trump acts like the American People broadly as well as the Republican Party more specifically do not understand what a National Emergency is and who an enemy of the country is. Perhaps some moneyed PAC should release an ad in the media that says that very thing and then shows pictures of the Twin Towers falling and Bin Laden threatening the US because he hates it, and a contrasting picture of some families trying to cross into the US from Mexico because they love the country and want to make a life here. This is fundamentally why his reach for an emergency declaration about immigration is out of step with the country.
14
I appears we are watching the final days of the Trump so-called presidency as his own party turns on him.
If he attempts a state of emergency approval will be tied up in congress and the courts for however long that is.
Not to mention if he were to attempt that there might be some new "emergencies" in a Democratic 2020:
Healthcare
Guns
Wealth tax
Climate change
Rapid fair path to citizenship
Fair elections
....I could go on.
If the GOP really sees what is happening they will walk Trump to the door.
20
"...Mr. Graham, adding that he feared “a war within the Republican Party” if Republicans did not support Mr. Trump’s plans,..."
Mr. Graham ignores that the Republican Party has been at war with itself now for quite some time and the rest of the country is getting tired of dealing with it.
28
I’m looking forward to hearing what Stacy Abrams has to say. Regarding Trump, wake me when it’s over.
19
@Wayne Pierce Abrams will go on and on espousing identity politics and leftist policies. Yawn.
1
"Screaming and yelling from our base", would these be the same people who were screaming and yelling that Mexico was paying for the wall?
20
Why listen to a liar spout more lies? And for the Dem "response", it should ignore everything Trumpkin says, every single exaggeration and lie, and strike out on a course that restores democracy, the rule of law, and the will of the majority to America. Every real American that believes in the three previously stated principles should be doing what my representative, Earl Blumenauer is doing- don't attend and don't even bother to listen or watch Trump irreality TV. Medicare for All! Bring the will of the majority back to America.
21
The largest national audience of the year? Donald J. Trump addresses his 52 million 95% (ers) daily and throws out whatever is floating in that head of his; Trump never addresses "the nation". The legitimate media relays his tweets to the majority in America but it is not the same as the president of the United States speaking to its citizens. The full extent of the damage Trump, his enablers and his 95% (ers) have done to the well being and future of America will begin to show through the cracks by 2021 and America will be on political and social life support for decades to come.
24
Plans. Show us your wall plans. Show us a detailed proposal. Why is no one shouting for this information before even considering appropriating money for Trump’s wall?
If a wall is that important to you, Mr. President, then show us a detailed proposal. Provide details about how this magical $5.7 billion down payment was calculated. Be up front about the fact that $5.7 billion is only a down payment.
Show us project goals and timelines. Show us feasibility studies, environmental impact statements, legal implications. Show us the costs. Show us the chain of management, control, review, and accountability.
Trump claims that he is a businessman and deal maker. In the real business world, you need a detailed project proposal or business plan before approaching an investor, bank or corporate board for funding. No plan? Don’t even think about asking for money.
Appropriating my hard-earned tax dollars based on a Trump promise that comes down to, “Give me billions, and then maybe I’ll tell you how I’m going to spend it” is totally unacceptable and fiscally irresponsible.
50
@Scott Fordin Trump has used the barriers installed by his friends in Israel as an example of walls that work while omitting those walls are heavily militarized and the Israelis are willing to use military force to defend those walls.
That is what concerns me-what will the carnival barker do if his desires for money for a wall, barrier, peaches or whatever, is ignored.
7
We don't need to be completely Trump-obsessed, but we do need to be Trump-concerned. While praising the intelligence of the American electorate, Trump secretly knows that they can be led around like bulls with nose rings - only instead of bullrings, he uses their beliefs and prejudices to lead them wherever he wants.
If DJT doesn't destroy our fragile democracy, he has published the blueprint and playbook for some other demagogue to do it later. If a democracy like America's is going to exist, there will have to be a paradigm shift in human thought throughout the world.
In the near future, we will program the human mind in the computer based on a linguistic "survival" algorithm, which will provide irrefutable proof as to how we trick the mind with our ridiculous beliefs about what is supposed to survive - producing minds programmed de facto for destruction. These minds see the survival of a particular belief as more important than the survival of all. When we understand this, we will begin the long trek back to reason and sanity.
See RevolutionOfReason.com
5
There is an Opioid Emergency. There is a Gun Violence Emergency. There is no Wall Emergency.
38
Republicans need to support Trump. No borders equals no country and no wall equals no borders.
4
So do we build a wall across our Canadian border?
Do we have a wall on our beaches too?
11
Um, yea! Cuz it makes so much sense!
Just. Please. Try to recognize the difference between politics and policy.
4
@DJ -
Right, because after 240 years we aren't here. That's because there ARE borders.
Then again you could build borders along Jersey beaches. That would be start.
3
From an engineer’s about the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of a physical barrier wall in 2019, these questions:
1) What are the blast tolerance specifications of the wall?
2) How much dynamite would it take to overcome that and blow a hole in the wall?
3) What’s the payload of your average pickup truck?
4) Therefore by dividing the answers from 3 by 2 above, how many holes in the wall could be blown by human smugglers in a single run of a single pickup truck?
There’s the problem, those who want to enter only have to get it right once, in one location whereas those who wish to prevent entry have to get it right everwhere at all times ... an impossibly Herculean effort destined to failure where the costs vastly outweigh the benefits.
19
Forget explosives. A wall can be defeated with a teaspoon if you're patient enough to tunnel.
2
Simply laughable and beyond pathetic he would have the unmitigated gall to call for unity on anything when he has been the standard bearer for divisiveness. How about addressing tax reform, regulating health care and pharmaceutical costs, job retraining, social justice, campaign refinancing, infrastructure just to name a few areas that would promote unity across the country. Funding for border security and immigration reform yes. The ridiculous amount to build a wall to appease a fawning base and feckless GOP lemmings, never.
37
I’m mixed up: Is Trump’s view “It’s my way or the highway?” or”Let’s look for compromises that promote border security.”
8
@Peter Silverman My way or the highway is Donald Trump's idea of being a good negotiator.
8
I will not be watching the State of the Union. I learned a long time ago not to listen to things that liars say.
27
@Tom I also will not-unless Trump dresses up in a top hat and tails and assumes the role he really plays-circus ring master.
Ironic that McConnell now wants to protect the separation of powers under the constitution. Where were his scruples when protecting the president's right to appoint Supreme Court justices?
I hope McConnell fights and defeats Trump over the wall. And then in 2020 Trump's base destroys McConnell while democrats decimate Trump. There would be undeniable beauty in the symmetry of it all.
31
McConnell doesn’t have scruples, be serious. He understands power though. Then, now, always. If he’s doing something, you can bet it’s to exercise or increase his power.
3
Lindsey Graham is wrong about defining moments it was the “American Carnage” speech, that was the moment....
6
@John
Lindsey Graham is wrong, period, and I am not much shy of 100% certain that he would not be taking this position if his friend, John McCain, were alive and well.
Shame on you, Mr. Graham.
17
While I am for open borders and integration of Mexico, Central American and Venezuela into the US as states, if Trump gets us out of West and Central Asia he wiill have saved enough money that if he wants the stupid thing he may as well have it. No Democrat would have contemplated getting out of West and Central Asia. Trump did not pay any attention to the people that know better.
2
@AS You almost had me. I thought you were serious about open borders and the integration of Mexico, Central America and Venezuela as states. That was a good one.
2
@Olivia
Based on demography, hard fact, the US will be a Latino country in a couple of decades. Already California, the most populous state, is. Given that reality, and the fact that the governments south of the border are not going to improve significantly as shown by the populace voting with their feet, we should consider that if the US is going to be the home of the future population of these countries that the US should have the natural resources to care for them including vast oil and mineral reserves. If the US is to be denied those reserves then the border should be sealed and the unskilled millions should be repatriated to their home countries to the care of their own oligarchs. If I am going to feed and care for the ten children next door because the parents won't do it, then I ought to take the ten bedroom house next door to house them and the parents can move to a local motel.
"...We’ve been making these types of promises for ten to 15 years. Tax cuts and regulatory reform ain’t enough. We want the wall." The first two are legislative priorities that Republicans have sought for years. The last is an invention of the current president as a device to foster and bolster his ideas that the rapists and gangs of Mexico and Central America are invading us. It will be nationalist ethnic and racial purity set in stone if ever effectuated!
6
The wall is nothing but a monument to himself. Are we really going to allow the snake oil salesman in chief to have $5bn? Imagine the graft!
11
@ShowemCalm Given that no actual plan seems to exist, we should assume that the demanded cash is specifically intended for plunder.
My senior citizen aunt suggested we take some tax money and buy Donald Trump a large Lego set. Then he can build his wall.
31
How insane is all of this? Our government and its employees held hostage once, and now being threatened again by a president who is clearly approaching 25th Amendment standards for removal. Sorry Trump lovers, add this to all of his other crazy conduct, and DJT has lost it.
16
The problem is the GOP allow themselves to be ruled and pulled by a vocal minority. Trump for that matter is a one trick pony. I bet even money that Trump will declare a National Emergency during the SOTU. So what we will be watching is a live hostage video during prime time.
5
I have no intention of watching to the President of the United States look me in the eye and twist facts so they tout his brilliance while blaming others for his failures, his standard approach to public speaking. The most important speaker tonight is Stacey Abrams who will deliver the Democrats’ response to Trump’s State of the Union. The party badly needs a compelling voice with a positive message to middle class Americans that will transcend the divisiveness and bumper sticker policy proposals that we’re witnessing already from the party’s 2020 presidential candidates. There’s a great opportunity tonight for Democrats to energize their base as well as change the minds of some crucially important swing voters. Failure to accomplish that I fear, will set a dismal tone for their election prospects.
14
"Administration officials struck a defiant note on Monday, saying the president needed the threat of a declaration to pressure Ms. Pelosi."
Translated: If you don't give me what I want I'll shoot myslef right in the foot.
Let me get this straight, you have a loosing position and the only "leverage" you have is to threaten something that will fail and reward the other side . . . .and this is supposed to be persuasive to the other side??? Is this how master negotiators work? Not being a master negotiator I did not know this. But, I'm learning from all this winning.
If one needed convincing that the Trump White House is staffed by incompetents and egoists this ought to help. Nancy will eat these guys alive.
25
I am reminded of the scene in Blazing Saddles where the sherif threatens to shot himself and the townsfolk back down - that the senate republicans.
As I read this piece, it strikes me that DJT may have already abandoned the notion of declaring a state of emergency and is waiting for the issue to dissolve. Were he resolutely in charge of his presidency, he would have recognized it as a so much foolishness. It is clear that he cannot back away from any position that he has owned or manufactured borne out of his notorious whim of iron. There was report yesterday that the POTUS works a curtailed schedule. When he is on the job, he seems to be mainly breaking the china. Someday, the Republican strategy for putting up with this clumsy oaf will be known for the disaster that it is.
12
Cruz's political advisor:
"“He’s responding to what too many Republicans ignore, which is the screaming and yelling from our base to do something. Let’s stop fighting ourselves and letting Democrats kick us in the face. We’ve been making these types of promises for ten to 15 years. Tax cuts and regulatory reform ain’t enough. We want the wall.”
The "base" has wanted the wall for 10 to 15 years? Have Republicans been letting "Democrats kick us in the face?" I say good for them if that's true.
2
Every time I read NYT I renew my vow, and I am part of a huge network, to quadruple my carbon footprint. And I will! It’s easy...you can do it, too!
@skyfiber
The endgame for your strategy is to be buried before you are asked to explain how dying coral due to warmer water, and acidification have transformed the Great Barrier Reef into the Great Barrier.
2
The Trump administration and Republican Congress can be summed up in 5 simple words:
Chaos. Destruction. Greed. Lies. Scandal.
Can we wait 2 more years for this nightmare to be over?
17
Trump proved his complete ignorance of our political system by making the wall his signature mission. His own party dismissed it as non-essential, and with the ascension of Pelosi, Trump's signature mission has laid an egg. With his boasting how much of the wall has already been built, Trump has shot himself in the foot by diminishing the urgency of the wall, and if he calls for a national emergency, any hope he had for the wall will be mired in the courts. He will state his case in his SOTU address, and I urge everyone to find something else to watch tonight. Better yet, do something Trump never does: Read a book.
8
Trump owned the office of President, The House and the Senate and didn't get his 'wall'. What does that say about his ability to lead?
The man does not know how to legislate because he continues to act as if his term as president is a Reality TV Show.
Well, it isn't. But it is reality and with the Mueller Investigation continuing, Trump better buckle up.
20
So many problems staring us right in the face---health care, climate change, drug addiction, wealth inequality, infrastructure---and what is our Congress and President focused on---a wall. It is maddening to watch all these dressed up suits in Congress deep into deliberation over an issue a small minority in the country care about. Trump will be gone in 2020---but all this wasted time and wasted money and wasted quality of life.
32
@Amanda Jones
So true Amanda there are so many other bad things/pandemics etc. that could happen that affect the nation; we ask, why declare an emergency? Why a wall? With all these debates I feel both parties are moving further away from a comprehensive immigration reform bill that should include secure borders.
1
@Amanda Jones the wall is a distraction, keep your eye on the ball! All of those things you mention are American's top priorities.
2
The State of the Union address has become a show case for disunion ever since President Obama was shouted, "liar" during his address to Congress. It is not an assessment of our progress or future as a nation, but a partisan showcase with applause lines and a weird rebuttal from the opposition party. All of it is uninteresting and staged. I will not watch it. I urge other Americans to also ignore it. It is the sound and fury signifying nothing to which Yeats referred.
15
@Patrick Stevens
One of the biggest myths of the "you lie" interruption of an Obama speech was that it was during a State of the Union address. It was not. The speech was before the Congress but it was Obama's health care speech.
5
@tom boyd
Check your history. It was during Obama's 2010 State of the Union speech and Supreme Court Justice Alito mouthed, "Not true" or "That's not true."
@Robert Marvos
I am talking about Joe Wilson of South Carolina which was in a different setting than Alito's mouthing.
1) Every discussion of the Wall should include a reminder that Trump promised Mexico would pay for it, not the taxpayers in the USA. He never mentions that part and his baloney about the not-yet-approved trade pact providing the money is patently absurd and doesn’t conform to what he promised.
2) Someone needs to explain to Trump how negotiations between equal branches of government are supposed to be conducted (I know that’s a pipe dream, because he can’t grasp the concepts involved. But I can dream.) it doesn’t mean the other side has to completely capitulate or they are the bad guys.
3) Someone should read a dictionary definition of ‘emergency’ to Trump. Nowhere will he find that the failure to convince Congress to give you what you want legislatively is considered an emergency. Perhaps someone might suggest to him that given Obama’s strong language on the health care crisis, he should have gone for broke on his demands, rather than compromise, and then declared an emergency. More people die from lack if medical care than from terrorist attacks - or criminal conduct by immigrants. We’d have single payer today. Be careful what you wish for, Trump. (And of course this requires that he be able to make meaningful comparisons or project into a future that doesn’t revolve around him!)
12
@james except that it would be legally challenged, would get hung up in courts for years and would likely not be approved to be done. The mechanics of actually doing it are easier said than done. Most immigrants already pay US taxes on those $. You can't (or should not) tax every dollar sent overseas after it has already been taxed. For those who do not pay taxes, each transaction would have to be examined and a determination made if it was a person who is paying taxes or not. It will never happen. It is another one of those things that sounds easy but is super complex.
1
@james Would you also tax the money sent by US corporations (remember they are people now) out of the country?
3
@jeffk illegal immigrants frequently get paid under the table - no taxes paid.
1
To deny federal works a pay raise in line with inflation, the President already declared an emergency. He stated that he can freeze pay because of “national emergency or serious economic conditions affecting the general welfare.”
Considering the fact that we are at record low unemployment, high growth, and the fact that the Federal Reserve is raising rates to stop the economy from overheating, how in the heck is the economy a national emergency? No. The President just made up nonsense to hurt workers, bolster his ravenous base, and serve his own interests.
7
I hope that Graham is correct for once and that this is a defining moment in this presidency.
Perhaps it is the moment when Republicans are roused from their slumber and put their sworn duty to the country ahead of their narrow partisan interests. For far too long Trump has been allowed to destroy the norms of our country without any adult supervision from his own party.
Perhaps it is the moment when Trump is told that there are rules in life and government which must be followed, even if you are a spoiled rich child and yet somehow president of the United States.
11
Shutting down the government and declaring an unconstitutional National Emergency to get his way on what ever he wants is the path to self destruction of the United States.
Every justification Trump has offered for his phony wall is a lie - remember he said over and over again that Mexico would pay for it. Moreover it is clear Trump is not serious about border security as he flip flops on every proposal that comes forth from Congress and lies making any negotiation impossible. Finally the idea that Democrats are for open borders is Jiberish. It is the Republicans constrained by the so-called "freedom caucus" - part of Trump's base - that prevented a vote on the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 which passed the Senate with 68 bipartisan votes.
2
The State of the Union Address should be very interesting, considering the new wave of Democrats who each have their own agenda, nothing to do with Trump's border wall.
Ocasio-Cortez, Pramila Jayapal and Ilhan Omar will be the ones to watch. I suspect the issue of the wall will be a moot point as the Dem's witnesses come forward to testify on unrelated issues. If anything, it'll keep audiences riveted to observe Trump's reaction.
1
A border wall paid for not by Mexico but those of us who actually pay taxes, may slow down your random drug runner, but the vast majority of harmful drugs coming into this country are brought in by the CIA, certain politicians and your friendly neighborhood pharmaceutical manufacturers. Just ask the residents of Mena, Arkansas.
In any event, have Trump's moronic rally-goers forgot the whole 'who will pay for the wall?, MEXICO!' war cry already?
Short attention spans caused by fluoride, sugar, alcohol and teevee poisoning, or what?
12
@signalfire
There is a reason why his supporters are the forgotten America.
3
It will slow down human traffic.
1
Republicans are torn because the only choice they have under Trump is to give into the dark, evil power of Russia and Putin or stand up and preserve the integrity of the United States of America. The Republican base, Trump has demonstrated, holds all the cards.
Trump’s unelected but Senate-approved cabinet members, on the other hand, secured being nominated only after demonstrating a propensity for corruption.
Triple whammy for decent Republicans.
7
If building a giant wall, based on lies and racism about our Southern neighbors, is the defining moment of Trump's achievements, as Lindsey Graham said, that is "sad".
What's also sad is Republicans who cater to a screaming base of hateful racists. That is repugnant.
The majority of Americans do not want "The Wall". America's heads of security and intelligence testified last week to the Senate Intelligence Committee about U.S. "Worldwide Security Threats" for 2019.
Mexico, according to their testimony (televised) and report (downloadable), is no threat whatsoever to the U.S.
Therefore, Trump cannot declare a State of Emergency there. One doesn't exist.
Constitutionally, and even under special Presidential powers, he is not authorized to re-allocate funds without a vote from Congress.
Trump's attempted end run around the normal procedure for voting on border-related affairs circumvents Congress's Constitutional duty to control our borders, set immigration law and allocate the budget.
If Republicans are splitting into two camps -- the far right fringe haters and those seriously interested in working dispassionately, in bipartisan fashion for ALL Americans, this is a cause for celebration.
Republican Congresspeople have laxly let Trump rule, not checking the Executive. As a result, we have
no environmental protection, higher taxes for all but the top 1%, no living wage, trade wars, and dangerous nuclear policy.
Defying Trump should be the Republicans' honor.
43
The greatest gift, Trump could give this country, is to resign .Perhaps then, history would treat him kindly.
24
@MARG
There is nothing the guy in the White House can do for history to treat him kindly.
The history that people will remember are the vast amount of connections between the guy in the White House and Russia.
It is no wonder Individual-1 won't release his tax returns...what Russian involvement
would they reveal?
When have we ever spent two years probing OUR own president's involvement with an adversary? Especially when that interaction was intended to sway the election?
We need a collective effort to rid us of our greatest threat. The traitor in the White House has got to go.
10
@MARG Maybe then he would get that parade he's been asking for.
2
We may not like Trump, but you have to give credit where credit is due: The man is destroying the Republican party, and I don't know how that could have been accomplished without him.
54
@Jack Craypo
...a pyrrhic victory...what is lost is equal to or more than what is gained. The fake president is destroying a lot more than the Republican party.
1
I like the idea of emergency funding for affordable healthcare for all, and to take down the NRA and all the loop holes that allow guns to be purchased like candy at the movies.
I dare the republicans to allow this to pass.
63
Trump's inclination to declare a national emergency to build a border wall is a win-win for Democrats. If he declares the National Emergency and loses in the courts, he weakens his Presidency, even further than it already is. If he wins in the Courts then the next Democratic President will have a powerful tool for rapidly implementing a broad range of critically needed domestic policy initiatives. The more I think about that the more I hope Trump does win in the Courts!
12
Flying in the face of all the evidence about what really constitutes a national emergency, Trump is asking for trouble. The statistics are public and stark: the serious threats to the majority of citizens come from the constant flow of opiods (mostly not through the wilderness at the southern border,) rapidly intensifying climate destruction, the unchecked proliferation of guns in the country, and the ever widening wealth gap.
There is nothing subtle about Trump's contempt for brown skinned people. The idea that needing to create a humane, fair, and organized system to review asylum claims seems to be way out of their range. So, we will continue to oppose a policy that ignores every real fix for a broken system, and get it that Trump will spend his remaining time in power ignoring the true national emergencies, while unifying his minority, and alienating the rest of us.
31
When will Trump's base open their eyes to the lie that there is an emergency at the border. They have backed themselves into a corner based on fear, illusion and lies perpetuated by their president who is desperately grasping to retain power.
22
If things get really bad at the State of the Union, I hope democrats walk out.
21
@Ron
I wonder whether there may be any precedent for the Speaker interrupting the President's State of the Union address if the President becomes too outrageous?
7
I don't care if it's necessary; I don't care if the amount of money I am seeking is arbitrary and random; I don't care if it is being demanded under false pretenses; I want my wall! It sounds like a pre-schooler at the toy store or the mall and I guess the loyal Trumpers are applauding this and saying it needs to be done and at all costs. They are ignoring the law and the precedence as well as the potential abuse of power as well as the sheer madness of this whole thing (why is it impossible for Trump's obsessed followers not to see the folly of all this and how unnecessary it is and how wasteful?) And to think "the wall" was simply a memory device during the campaign so that Mr. Trump would remember to talk about immigration. It seems to have taken-on a life of its own and everyone that is all for it has lost sight of the original purpose of mentioning "the wall"...
17
The hardcore GOP base is not organized and Democratic strategy is using this fact. The base blows in the wind produced by the likes of Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh so not having the wall is now an existential threat to them. Democrats would love to topple the rabble rousers or at least give them a black eye. So don’t look for salvation from that dynamic. Trump needs to use his bully pulpit to modify his position. Is he smart enough to do that?
3
This may be the first time I have agreed with Mitch McConnell. Giving President Trump emergency powers to do even one thing could be disastrous for our nation. Trump must be stopped, border security is important, it’s not a national emergency. An attack by a foreign power is a national emergency.
17
@ScottC Do you mean “an attack by a foreign power” like the Russians interfering in our elections and trying to influence our chief executive ( multiple private meetings without another us representative who can vouch for the conversations)?
If so, then I agree.
3
@rf - excellent point rf
Trump would be better advised to get the immigration people to fix our broken system that allows people to overstay their visas. That is what needs to be fixed. This along with some sane rules/laws about what to do for people arriving at our borders without visas.
7
The modern, biometric visa tracking system needs to be funded properly. That is very important. This should have been done under the previous administration.
2
@Maggy Perhaps we should establish a system that requires employers to background check their new hires for legal status, and a system for allowing illegals to begin the path to citizenship if they are not criminals, which most are not except for the illegal immigration.
2
How about offering Trump a big deal? In return for 200 miles of Wall, full path to citizenship for all those affected by the DACA, pulling back ICE arrests and pressure on the undocumented, and a return to the humane and legal treatment of refugees and detainees on the Southern border at least as it stood under Obama.
By the time much Wall has been built there could well be a Democratic Adminstration in place. In the meantime the unprecedented assault on undocumented would have been alleviated.
Perhaps he'd be stupid enough to take such a deal if the Democrats painted it as a victory of some sort for both sides.
3
@mark a cohen So build a wall but nothing to make it hard for an illegal immigrant to remain here. Hmmm. Estimates of up to 10% of NYC residents are illegal immigrants. When I read someone from NY advocating loosening the immigration controls we do have, I have to wonder what's in it for that person.
1
Both Clintons, Obama, Schumer and the Democrats were all in favor of a wall until Trump wanted it. They stated so in one more than one of their speeches. This is about their hatred for Trump and not giving him what he wants even if it is detrimental to this country.
7
@Olivia
Yes, they supported, AND BUILT, physical barriers where these make sense. The current argument is that additional 'Wall' is simply a sub-optimal use of limited border security resources.
14
When we see people just walking in where there are no physical barriers the it's clear what is in place is not sufficient.
3
The media, and the public, is now ignoring Huckabee, Coulter, and Conway. Time for trump to be ignored also.
24
" . . . declare a national emergency on climate change or gun violence." What a novel idea. Both subjects are more in the emergency category than the wall.
The President himself is the one most deserving of an "emergency declaration."
America deserves so much more that this inept man can ever offer and another shut down would be too politically damaging. The question is, will Trump acknowledge it.
14
Without a doubt I will find a better use of my time than listening to the incompetent currently residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue run out more lies under the pretension that the subject of his remarks is “ unity” and his deep concern for we, the people.
24
There is nothing that could persuade me that a wall of the type Trump is pushing is a good idea - or even a fair one, or a decent one. His entire administration has been a nightmare, and frankly, there is nothing much congressional Republicans could do to convince me that they have the best interests of the country at heart, not just their base. If Trump dares to declare a so-called emergency so that he can have his wall, he should be immediately removed from office for dereliction of duty. Of course, the SDNY could "work its magic" first.
Lest there be any question: humane border security and controlled immigration, yes. Trump's ridiculous wall, no. Next topic, please: how about how corrupt every part of the Trump administration and empire are?
9
Proper border security is inherently fair and decent to the citizens of this country.
2
Obama bypassed Congress to create DACA. Trump has every right to bypass Congress to build the wall.
7
DACA did not involve declaring a national emergency, cost tens of billions of dollars, divert funds from other projects, require the seizure of private property, and insult and alienate a neighboring country.
22
@Marion Eagen Illegal immigrants cost this country 140 billion a year which makes the wall cost effective. Democrats supported billions spent on the wall in the past, until Trump wanted to do the same. As far as insulting a neighboring country is concerned, I am insulted that Mexico is assisting these illegals to our border.
4
@Olivia, check your facts please. 'Alternative facts' are for the Oval Office only. Where do you get this $140 billion a year cost of illegal immigration? and 'Democrats supported billions' - was that the $1.7 billion I've seen mentioned? And who said Mexico was 'assisting' the illegals? Either you can engage in a sensible debate, or you sign up with the side that uses lies, half truths and untruths to make a case that would be indefensible on the basis of straightforward fact.
5
It's interesting that Mr. Trump can only appeal to his base. In other words, he has very little confidence that his positions can appeal to a wider swath of Americans (yet, his base will not be enough to reelect him again).
20
@barry: You are there and not here, so it is virtually impossible for you to measure accurately the number of base supporters. Polls r unreliable, as we saw in 2016 when over 80 percent of the country was in the tank for HRC and at 1 point Trump was given a 3 percent chance of winning, yet he won anyway. Millions of folks will vote for TRUMP in 2020 but would not say so.The Donald is touching a raw nerve when he speaks of the dangers of illegal immigration and folks want a wall, just as Israelis appreciate a wall to protect against attacks in border areas near Trans Jordan.What could be ,more obvious as a symbol of national sovereignty, proof that we wish to protect our borders than a smuggler proof barrier? Which opponent of a wall on our southern border does not have a wall surrounding his or her property and an armed guard to boot? Do you think you could walk up to Kamala Harris's front door and ask for a cup of coffee without her praetorian guard, perhaps only a slight exaggeration, calling 911 "aussitot?"
1
Re: the quote from Jeff Roe about the Republican base "screaming and yelling" to "do something" about illegal immigration and border security. The actual fact of the matter is that the Dems have already offered to do A LOT to restrict immigration and enhance border security -- more, frankly than I am comfortable with, but that's the nature of compromise. The only thing they have refused to do is say, "Uncle." There has been enormous compromise on substantive policy issues -- but Trump wants to show his base that he has made the Dems say, "Uncle," even tho they did so well in the midterms. He doesn't want to acknowledge that "elections have consequences," in 2019, just as they did in 2016.
24
I believe he actually HAS no fallback plan regarding the wall. His "plan" is to call on some national "emergency" (which could end up being one of many scenarios) and push his desire for this wall through. This is all he knows - - bullying and forcing his way on others. He cannot think outside the box, he cannot think critically, the more simplistic the solution for him, the better.
17
Beware of this precedent. Trump was anti-gun before. So are many others. The number of gun deaths is an easy justification for an emergency declaration to ban all semi-automatic weapons.
11
@tommag1 And it would be appropriate to declare an emergency for gun violence, unlike 'the wall'.
8
“The defining moment” of this presidency... Indeed, there has been one "defining moment" after another. Enough is enough.
20
The bottom line is that even with a majority house/senate for 2 years, he couldn't get a wall, now with a majority in the house it will not happen. If he declares a "national emergency" a lawsuit against the wall will be filed, it will be tied up in the federal court system and hopefully we will have another president who is not a "dictator" and our country can heal from the division we are in now. We can change this in 2020!
20
In the end, it seems, the argument that has overtaken public and political discourse is all about whether to spend billions of dollars on 30 foot high piles of attractive peaches to prevent caravans of red herrings from invading the US.
Did l miss anything?
22
What if Trump starts shifting his rhetoric to ' Of course the use of the word 'Wall' was metaphorical, used by your Donald to represent effective border control measures such as drones, improved and increased border control staff at all entry points and airports, effective follow ups on overstayed visas etc etc'
He's done it before 'When I said 'should' I really meant 'shouldn't'. Yeah right!!
9
@Geraldine Mitchell Actually, he falsely claimed to have meant "WOULDN'T", rather than "WOULD". However, I agree with the gist of your post.
2
House negotiators are approaching their legislative task professionally. They consult with experts, visit the border and talk to those dealing with the issue, and are putting together a package that both sides can agree to.
Then there's Lindsay Graham who basically threatens his colleagues with GOP Armageddon if they don't support every single thing Trump does. I actually trust one of my GOP senators Johnny Isakson to put the country first in a situation like this.
Pelosi's House is working effectively unlike the White House. McConnell has come out of his shell momentarily but has already been proven timid on dealing with the president who is his wife's boss.
Graham's morphing into a more gregarious Pence ventriloquist dummy gets increasingly odd. Presumably behind the scenes, he is being promised the sun, moon and stars by Trump or someone but what is worth losing your patriotism and reputation?
Trump and legislative reality don't coexist but I do look forward to the Stacey Abrams' saner and more eloquent speech tonight. Not mentioned here but worth considering is how Trump feels by being followed by a highly qualified and admired black woman politician. I suspect that matters deeply to him.
30
Re: "expected to double down in the wall."
Is President Trump also going to double down on MEXICO PAYS! the other part of the promise? Why do his supporters have amnesia on that part? Where they wouldn't have to pay for it?
15
If Trump is so concerned about the public’s safety, why doesn’t he tackle the real and present danger of legally produced opioids in this country that are distributed by a corrupt system of prescribing doctors and dispensing pharmacies? And why doesn’t he address the epidemic of legally produced guns that are distributed freely by a network of private gun dealers through gun shows, pawn shops and the internet. And why doesn’t he call to task acceleration of toxic pollution that is being produced as a direct result of his de-regulation efforts
21
@Mark Rindner In answer to all your questions, because he's not concerned about the public's safety.
3
I have heard very little, in all the discussions lately, about the environmental aspects of this wall. At the beginning of serious discussions, decades ago, concerning what type of barrier we should have; there were many questions raised on the effects on migration and grazing habitat of indigenous species.
Most people look at the Southern border and see an empty
desert, which to them means there is no life; except for illegals attempting to enter our country!
The desert is quite the opposite. It is full of life.
The border has many other environmental zones other than desert, and those huge dry washes locally called Arroyos did not get large or appear magically. They represent major flood events. If you've ever seen a flash-flood and the wall of water it produces, you have a good idea of the destruction that accompanies one.
Any wall capable of stopping a human body is capable of stopping wind-blown plants and just cleaning those away will become a full-time task.
The idea of leaning on technology, if a 'wall' is truly necessary, is the only logical course. As the science behind the devices evolves, there will be no need to spend huge sums on removal of the 'Great Wall of Paranoia," when it becomes apparent to all; it does not work! We will only have to upgrade software and firmware.
Think about the side-effects, like the price of steel and concrete, plus the accompanying shortages.
Housing prices will rise and any jobs created will be short-term and expensive.
16
"Representative John Garamendi, Democrat of California, would repeal a line in the 1986 Water Resources Development Act that grants the president authority to use civil works money to respond to a national emergency."
A little loophole here, a little "special authority" there, and pretty soon you have a situation where a president can legally seize complete control of our government.
The only possible good I can see coming out of this entire Trump presidency is our becoming aware that it CAN happen here - LEGALLY!
11
Mitch McConnell, an experienced political “hardball” player, is openly defying trump. Others in his party are noting his increasingly bold stance which is meant to embolden “ long suffering “ leaders in his party to actively and more importantly, effectively resist trump’s long list of ill-conceived ideas. McConnell is showing that he can put country first, which is what a senate majority leader must do in moments like these. The roadbump that is trump’s presidency will come to an end in 2020 and the American experience will return be able to a more normal era. Let’s hope the Dems nominate the right candidate.
7
@Keith D. Kulper McConnell my be speaking up on the wall, for nice speaking up, but he had retreated in the face of Trump and has put party over country. He has NOT been openly defying Trump but rather playing dead. History will not treat him kindly,
6
@Keith D. Kulper
McConnell is a Republican rather than an American.
1
What really matters to Trump is not the wall, but his political position, which he defines as his standing with his wall-demanding core supporters.
For his last weapon, then, he ought to choose a call to those supporters to join him in a campaign of pressure on their senators and representatives to rally around and declare support for his threat to declare a national emergency and use unappropriated funds to build the wall.
If that campaign fails, it will have been a joint effort and a joint failure. He can then turn to playing a blame game in the hope that his supporters will give him a pass for signing a spending bill and leaving the wall project for another day.
Long before that day arrives, he can discover what nobody else knows -- that most illegal immigration does not occur at the border, and that most illicit drugs come in through ports of entry -- and launch the biggest drive in history to solve those problems.
It's a long shot, but he just might succeed in outflanking Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh with the greater part of his base.
4
"That has some Republicans openly fretting that such a declaration would embolden a Democratic president to declare a national emergency on climate change or gun violence."
Republicans openly fretting that this would embolden a Democratic president to declare and national emergency over an actual national emergency, such as climate change and gun violence. Who votes for these people?
24
I still don't understand -- if this wall is so important why didn't the president insist on it during the 2 years Republicans controlled the House and the Senate?
38
"The president’s advisers have said the speech will focus on unity. But he is also expected to double down on the wall."
I think the word for that is Nonsense.
52
@Simon DelMonte
Anyone want to bet that he will not mention the wall? No one ever knows what he is going to say, to whom or when.
I like the idea of an emergency declaration so the next President can declare the climate Change, gun control and the opiod crisis an emergency. These are real Problems to be fixed.
47
Why doesn’t Trump talk about fentanyl arriving in the mail from China or El Chapo’s tunnels? Is the concept too difficult?
29
@Bruce Thomson
Or maybe he will talk about how hard it is to hire good hard undocumented workers to workfor less at his NJ Golf course and NOW have to pay more for Americans for those jobs. life is getting very unfair for trump, maybe reality is about to hit.
4
A solid constitutional crisis is what this country needs to wake up the republican legislators to the threat of a president unconcerned about the substance of governing.
45
Apart from their awakening on The Wall, Congressional Republicans need to ponder the question:
Does every time we ignore, defy, or harm or risk harm to a super majority of the American public make it more likely that our party is headed for a generation in the political wilderness? Think: universal background checks for gun buyers, environmental protection, mitigation of climate change, protection of voting rights, alms for the rich, the health care debacle, a nomination process that puts a G.W. Bush, Sarah Palin, or Donald Trump on 4 of the last 5 national tickets, ... a few among the many chapters in their Failures of Governance playbook.
Lose a few more percentage points of the electorate in 2020 versus 2018 and become a durable minority? Or, throttle the president's behavior and pass legislation favored by super majorities by veto proof margins?
24
“with or without the president’s support”
Those are the key words. This rogue president needs to be marginalized.
The media should take greater steps to ignore and isolate him, as some have already done with Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
And both Houses of Congress should work on a template of securing 2/3 majorities on bills (as apparently they are currently doing to keep the government running), to make Trump's signature irrelevant.
If he tries to declare a "national emergency", the courts intervene.
All this, until he can be removed from office by Senate conviction.
99
Since when do serious legislators pass legislation simply because a minority of the electorate has been whipped up into a state of delusion and fear by a President to win an election? I hope not now and not in these United States of America with three equal branches of government, so designed by the founders to prevent such a hysterical use of power by one man.
144
@Harold Johnson
Amazying how some pick and chose how they use the constitution, pick the 2nd amendment to justify even when oiur children are being killed in our schools But want to throw away the parts that require balance between the three equal branches. I do think we need to get the smartest people in the room and examine the parts that have becoming out dated and revise.
11
Lindsey Graham lost his compass when McCain passed away. His backbone has disappeared. Instead of exhibiting moral conviction, he wants to score points with the president. He is no longer a bipartisan player. Another casualty of Trump's chaos.
150
@DR' Graham was never a "bipartisan player". He was just a relatively reasonable Republican. No more.
22
@DR The major difference in attitude is the fact that he is running for reelection in 2020 . Like most politicians only two things are important...getting elected and being reelected.
19
@DR
Graham spoke movingly of his regard for McCain, but since McCain died, Graham might as well be relieving himself on his friend's grave.
5
Trump obviously thinks he is going to be the Republican candidate for President in 2020, but I don't consider that a sure thing. I don't know how many lines he will need to cross to take himself out of the picture, but stranger things have happened. A National Emergency declaration to build the wall would certainly move the needle in that direction.
39
They're expressing angst now, but when Trump doesn't get his funding, they'll all rallying behind him in single file, each elephant wrapping it's trunk around the tail of the elephant in front. No matter they were once advocating 2+2=4, if the lead elephant doesn't like that logic, heck, 2+2=5 now. I wonder if they thought what will be the likely emergency a Democratic president will invoke? Global warming? How would all those silly elephants like the thought of their precious tax dollars going to finance measures to protect against a far greater crisis than the Mexico border?
43
I will not watch the farce of his State of the Union. It will be all about him and I can't wait for the fact checkers to count the number of outright lies, false statements, and his attacks on everyone he doesn't like.
I don't want to vomit so I will not watch.
117
@DB
I will not watch either but I will watch Stacey Abrams response.
10
I still don't and never will understand how people clapped and cheered and clapped and cheered some more when he boasted "Mexico will pay Mexico will pay". There never ever was one iota of truth in that statement was that not a warning for all??? Ole ole ole.
54
@Bev In a few years the people who hollered and yelled gleefully at those Trump exhibitions called rallies, will watch the re runs on late night TV and be horrified that they were part of the spectacle, the people who were joyfully drinking the Trump Kool Aid. What will their grand children think?
7
Trump is lost, emergency or no.
The shutdown he promised to take full responsibility for has landed in his lap.
His foreign policy moves and troop movements have already led to the loss of troops by ISIL guerrillas AND bipartisan Congressional rejection.
He cannot build tue wall.
The US Attorneys for the Southern District of NY seem to be moving in and building a RACATEERING charge against the entire Trump Organization, its Boss, sub-bosses, consigliere, lawyers, etc. Watch for similar actions by the Camden fed prosecutors over the Atlantic City debacles.
New charge: he used the Inaugural Committee worse than his family “charity”.
It is getting to the point even McConnell is backing away.
Is John Dean still with us in mind and body - if so, he should tell The Donald very simply the Cancer Growing on the Presidency has metastasized to every corner of the Executive Body Politic - it won’t have any effect - the shrinking number of True Believers will leave Democrats with the Presidency, Senate, and a supermajority in the House in 2020 - even if he announces hid resignation during the State of the Union, he has left his party toast.
The best thing coming out of it is a wake up call to Legislators, now prepared to slash back at the Imperial Presidency, collapse of the Tea Partyites whose preparations, with Moscow’s help - out of Putin’s outright fear of Hillary, to an end to any Trumpista attempt at seizing control of the tri-part government.
The best he can hope for is a pardon.
29
Nobody doesn't want the inane, pathetic wall as much as Senator McConnell. Feckless Congressional Republicans agree. Otherwise, they would have voted on it before the midterms.
McConnell and his Republican jellyfish wanted the tax-cut-for-the-rich. They wanted to kill health care for regular Americans. They wanted to destroy Social Security and Medicare. They wanted to drill for oil everywhere. They wanted to stop protecting anything and everything that has ever been protected by laws or government.
Those things are indisputably even worse than the wall. And the wall, for its part, is now the indelible symbol like those red hats of the Trump lies, racism, and fear. Trump and his wall are just the inevitable result of the lies, racism and fear that the Republicans have used for decades to rile up their voters--and trick 'em.
Do Trump or Putin have something on Senator Graham, who has repeatedly referred to the wall as the defining moment of the Trump presidency? Does Graham still believe the Republican party will go down if it doesn't continue to support Trump until the bitter end? I have news for Graham. It's too late, fella. The Republican party is going down either way.
70
@Robert
I had to parse that first sentence carefully. It is well constructed!
15
@Thomas Zaslavsky
Thank you for your reply. Sorry to make you work so hard. Should I have simple said the following? "Nobody hates the inane, pathetic wall as much as Senator McConnell. …"
1
Hmmm, good idea, Republicans. I like it! Trump declares an emergency and builds his wall. After he is thrown out of office, the Democratic president declares an emergency to deal with our little problem of gun violence, a real emergency, by the way.
53
I was thinking the same thing! Sounding like an okay idea, actually!
19
@Truth Hurts
Problem is, it is a GOP SCOTUS that will make an exception for Trump, regardless of what Roberts claims.
A President Sanders will get no such deference.
6
Since we’re already edging towards dystopia, it’ll be easier to accept the next democratic president vastly expanding federal powers under the pretext of a climate-related emergency or a school shooting emergency. Reap what you sow.
34
@Kenneth Leon
Again, it helps if SCOTUS is on your team. Which for Trump it is.
1
@Kenneth Leon:
Are you contesting the factual reality of unchecked gun violence in the U.S. and its attendant effect of making us all less safe?
Are you contesting the fact that climate change is real and is likely to lead to catastrophic events for all sentient beings?
This president, who does not believe these possibilities and in fact makes these catastrophes more likely is our greatest current threat?
Libby Wein
Trump needs to take a look at pictures of tunnels crossing the southern U.S. border, created by the El Chapo drug gang and look at statistics which show that most drugs enter the country at legal points of entry by truck, boat or air. These prove that a southern border wall will not stop most of the drug flow into this country and his declaration of emergency is pointless and untrue.
The only emergency that exists is for the poor refugees crossing the border who have their children taken from them at the border and whose applications for asylum is deliberately being processed at a very slow rate, thanks to Trumps mean and inefficient policy.
32
@Iryna
So we should abandon the border wall because drugs come in at major transit ports ? Border Patrol agents and the USCG have different assessments. But why get “facts” in the way of stopping illegal drugs pouring into our nation destroying our inner cities. Where their residents always vote Democratic.
1
@Peter I Berman A border wall that aids the USCG? In the ocean? Or one that drives “all” drug trafficking into the air and ocean thus requiring more funding in those areas. Probably already happening.
It will be interesting to see how/if Trump weaves Sunday's fatal MS 13 shooting on the NYC subway into his State of the Union.
9
If those northerners want a wall that's not in their backyard, Californians and Texans should demand Congress to build a wall on the northern border, you know, to stop Canadians.
11
Why listen to lies? Don't watch the State of the Union speech. It is just a propaganda forum for Trump. You can always see the most disgusting bits later on the news. An audience is oxygen for a narcissist like Trump. He's gasping right now -- please don't give him air.
116
G = Gutless
O = Obtuse
P = Pariahs
Put it all together and what does it spell? A bunch of old, white men running scared. Scared of the weak, self-proclaimed bully, trump, sacred of their own constituency, and scared of their own shadows.
trump has shown his hand, and it’s a weak one that hasn’t changed in decades of “deal making.” It’s all a lot of hot air, bluster, and smoke and mirrors. Foreign leaders around the world have figured this out, and Speaker Pelosi has his number but good. The only ones still shaking over trump is the GOP and the CEOs.
We the People stood up to trump at the midterms, and the GOP knows it. Oh yes they know it. We need to keep standing up to trump and his gang of cowards. 2020 will be here soon.
75
Ernest. Agreed. Not a fan and yes Pelosi has his number. If you shut the government then keep it shut until you achieve your goal otherwise it’s just a waste of time.
1
I generally oppose and would try to prevent any suicide. For President Trump and his useless 14th-century border wall, I make an exception. I say, "Go for it!"
29
The wall that Trump declared he is building; but needed to shut down the government for; but; but. He contradicts himself in the same sentence. He lies all the time. But he is the greatest, has the greatest people. What a disgrace.
31
There is nothing as satisfying as watching these fools shoot themselves in the foot as they try to dance even faster and distract even more....
They can't even keep up with the lies, distractions and deceptions in this web they weave...
30
It appears the President is about to usurp the Constitutional workings of the US Government. Is that going to be allowed to happen? Things have really gone off the rails, all over a stupid wall.
27
But, they're about to invade us. We have to build the wall. And the English won the Battle of Agincourt. Our civilization is at stake. Ay, qué desastre.
18
I have an idea to break the logjam. The house passes a clean bill funding the government with zero money for a wall. Then they pass a $5.7B authorization paid for with parcel taxes on trump’s properties, coal mines and oil wells. The senate will pass it or not, it’s on them. As the money rolls in planning and construction can follow.
15
@6Catmamdo
I love this proposal with the intensity of a thousand burning suns.
Ok, so “objective”journalism could present readers with two side-by-side lists of every articulated argument for a “Wall” (including it’s fluid definitions) and every argument against. Editors could even create categories: goals; problems to be remedied; best use of taxpayer funds; political constraints; demonstrably false claims . . . whatever! But please! The Times reportorial narrative muddles the issues, reporting political argument in the same category as data. For example, in an effort to be be fair-minded, I guess, the Times reports that Lindsey Graham says the Wall is the break-all issue for Trump’s presidency. That’s an obvious description of what may be a political claim about Trump’s support, but the reporting style but ends up treating this as if it’s in the same analytic category as conflicting empirical claims about threats to security, nature of unmet border control needs, and the best ways to address those. I understand all of this is a fundamentally political argument, and the politicians have reasons for indulging in different types of arguments for different audiences, but reputable and neutral press could help readers discern the difference instead of juxtaposing incommensurable arguments as if they are mutually responsive.
9
@D.L.
I agree; the reportage needs to be more careful in separating plain facts and expert opinions from political opinions, posturing, etc.
10
Republican leadership
Foment fact-free crazy - hyper partisan fear and anger in their "conservative" base.
Then pander to their base to the detriment of America while paying off their donors with policies that siphon money from the public and the United States treasury.
20
"The Congress has failed to do its job — this Congress, last Congress and for quite a while to make sure that we have what we need at the southern border, which of course the centerpiece is a physical barrier, wall, steel slats,” Kellyanne Conway, the counselor to the president, told reporters."
Well, well, well. why does this president get to have his way when his narrow base demands it? Democrats took back the house on the promise to fulfill their own campaign promises, one of which was not to appropriate money for the whims and lies of the president and his base.
it's called democracy--the people have spoken. Every president except Trump (and confederate leaders) have had to live with the results of what the majority wants.
An end run around Congress is a deeply authoritarian move. Watch this man and be very very afraid if he plays the "emergency" card.
It could be the first of many.
101
@ChristineMcM
Every other president had to veto legislation *after* it was passed, but Leader McConnell has given him the functional equivalent of a pre-vote veto.
55
@Grennan you make a terrific point, kudos. McConnell's unholy partnership with Trump based on two common interests--packing the courts and keeping financial donors happy for reelection campaigns--has made him every bit as guilty as Trump in protracting the shutdown and blocking legislation to protect the president.
9
His use of the White Supremacy Fist does not help his agenda.
39
It’s Congress first day back from their first recess,
I really don’t the media or congress anymore , both institutions are tainted.
@Independent voter
Wait! Does that mean you trust President "I'm going to build a wall and Mexico is going to pay for it" over Congress and the media?
17
As we all know, there is no national emergency, except that of the Trump presidency itself along with Republican rule in the Senate. If Republicans allow our monstrous Fantasist-in-Chief to declare a national emergency for the sole purpose of throwing red meat to his base and further feeding their own vicious delusions, then the Republican Party will have definitively proven itself to be the treasonous, spineless organization it has appeared to be over at least the last decade.
There is only one path of relative honor for the GOP, and that is to oppose our wannabe dictator in every aspect of his campaign of destruction against our democracy. Anything short of overt opposition is collaboration in the downfall of our nation.
If Trump declares a national emergency, that is his bid to take precedence over Congress and the Judiciary. Republicans, as well as everyone else, know that. The only question is whether or not Republicans have even an ounce of honor, ethics or decency left with which to oppose such a dictatorial move. I'm not going to bet on that.
85
Read abut the “steel seizure case” emergency Truman tried - when, in a fit of madness he tried to take over Youngstown Sheet and Tube and break the steel workers’ union.
That’s what FDR’s court did to FDRs successor.
The bar for declaring a federal Emergency is pretty high.
17
@Hugh Yes, there is an emergency. It's the thousands of children trump has imprisoned and many have little hope of ever seeing their parents again. That's the emergency. And trump has created it.
50
Trump does not realize the jig is up on his program for running the government. Even the Senate has moved from somnolence to reactionary on Trump’s pronouncements. The President is either unusually dense not sense the change in direction from the GOP relative to his governing style (what style you may wonder) or he is afraid to acknowledge his continuing loss of influence.
26
Are we supposed to feel sorry for the Republicans? Somehow, I can’t even work up one tear. They cynically hitched their star to a man they knew was always on the edge of lunacy, but went ahead anyway because of their addiction to power at any cost coupled with unbridled greed.
If anything good comes from this incredible mess, it will be the near death of the Republican Party. Maybe if their numbers are decimated to the point that they nearly cease to exist, they will regroup and reinvent themselves into something that actually cares about this Country.
We are the ones that can help them do that and 2020 is the perfect time to strike.
72
The 'Spite Wall' is not an original concept and was used by a rich American in California at the turn of the 20th century. He bought a vast amount of land on a hill, demolished twelve houses, and used the space for his large manor.
Unfortunately, there was one resident hold-out, an undertaker by profession, who refused to budge. The millionaire threatened him by building a concrete wall, and his neighbor retaliated with a tower and a viewing of a casket, with an emblem of skull heads, the better to advertise his business.
This historical chapter turned sinister and was wiped out in the San Francisco Fire. Ruth Franklin did some excellent research in her biography of Shirley Jackson.
But we are in 2019 now, facing an emergency situation, and only a big wall can protect us from being invaded by barbarians and terrorists, undesirables and refugees, breathing down our neck, and Trump did promise that his wall would be big and beautiful!
He is not going to get side-tracked, or have powerful media voices sneer and abandon his ship. Jeff Roe is confirming that 'Our Base' wants the wall, and if you don't like it and resist, pay the piper's price because more American federal agents may be out of a job by the middle of this month, impacting on the Nation's economy.
We sound like proper fools on time travel, and quite a few of us would like to enter the 21 century, using technological measures for our safety and well-being.
A G.O.P. trumped by fear and threats.
22
Should Trump declare a national emergency to build the wall Pelosi can vote and pass a resolution in the House terminating a presidential declaration of national emergency under the post-Watergate National Emergencies Act. Then the Senate would also have to vote on the termination, unless they change the rules to avoid a vote. Either way, this would cause the Republicans to choose whether they support Trump and the wall, or not. With the majority of the American people against the wall, this would be a big statement by the Republican Senate.
42
A national emergency does not take over two years to act on--by definition the condition has lasted too long to be an emergency (except, of course, for the asylum seekers)
And didn't Trump say he would pay for the wall most recently--I hoped that would mean he would use his own billions to get what he wants since his negotiation with Mexico on that issue hasn't gone so well.
27
@stefanie
Do you really believe that Trump has billions of his own money? I don't believe it, not in readily liquid form, anyway, like cash - though he might have some travellers' cheques ready for when he has to do a midnight flit to foreign parts. Besides tax evasion, the most obvious reason for Trump not wanting to reveal his tax returns is that his frequent claims to be wealthy are as fraudulent as all his other claims about himself.
4
I’m not watching it. Don’t need the aggravation. I’ll read about it in The Time afterward.
21
I am not sure ... but while he has people paid money to write real "speeches" he will rant and rave and take claim for "successes" and toss blame and insults and .... probably 50% about THE WALL and border security (the one down south, not at the airports and visas people who are half of the illegals here).
But the 63 million who voted for him ... the minority ... are not going o give up.
9
Maybe the problem is again the president's below-par basic vocabulary and spelling. Sorry, no Mulligans. He confuses winning with whining. And yes, more and more people are tiring of so much whining.
60
@uga muga not to mention the smocking gun from this self proclaimed genius no one believes about anything. the WORST of America.
11
16 establishment Republicans came between Trump and his nomination and he made it clear that he is and will be independent. Without Trump the Republicans are worthless and will not have a chance against Howard Schultz. While the dollittle partisan politicians are knocking each other down only a candidate beholden to independents will win the electoral college. It is the economy stupid and then it is the national security and bringing home safely US troops from foreign wars.
Let us see what the President's state of the Union address presents besides in response to the fear mongering opposition and the press.
2
@Girish Kotwal Hmmmm...... . Howard Schultz, eh? Without Howard Schultz, trump doesn't stand a chance. But Schultz almost certainly will, if he follows through with his declaration and actually runs against trump and the Democratic nominee, hand the presidency to trump. Surely he will realize his folly and sit down.
5
All the complexity and peril in the world and all our President can think about is what people in the Deep South and Appalachia think about immigration in south Texas. It’s totally ridiculous. By the way, the Rio Grande Valley is a model bicultural society.
137
Trump is the single best warning indicator that democracy in this country is in intensive care with a very low pulse rate and blood pressure and declining oxygen levels. Willing ignorance, astronomical debt, rotting infrastructure, noxious arguments, toxic environments, delusional wars, insane military expenditures and criminal wars,and now a deranged orange buffoon complete with war threats and imaginary enemies foreign and domestic haunt the land.Submission to the Interests of wealth, power, ingorance and manipulation is taking this country down a path of no return. If we really want to honor our veterans and our heroes we need to step up and leave the crazy news chatter and manipulators behind. We need to find the energy and honesty to take the right paths or forget about it and build all the fences and all the insane weapons and let the mega-corporations and blow-dry , carnival barkers and manipulators roam free.
35
Could someone get Senator Graham a fainting couch please. If a phony applause line given to a gullible populace becomes the "defining moment of his presidency", what can we expect when something "real" happens?
54
Trump is beginning to loose support from Republicans in Congress now that Democrats control the House. Trump's wall is a campaign promise he can't keep. Republicans can read the " writing on the wall." Trump is unraveling. Ms. Con Way can't spin this inevitability.
39
As the Washington Post pointed out in their ground breaking Super Bowl add- democracy does die in the dark.
That is a clarion call for both national and international news organizations to take a hard look at both their leaders and their policies.
The border wall is nothing more than a political stunt. More red meat for the "deplorables" of our country. And yes, believing in a theocracy or a plutocracy, hating immigrants, and overtly or stealthily supporting White Nationalism makes you deplorable.
What I'm looking for from our journalists is the facts on the ground.
Is there a border crisis? In what way? Is declaring a National Emergency justified? If so, why? If not, why not? Trump is probably going to declare it.
So, in spite of the fact that the Deplorables will be main lining Fox and Breitbart- the rest of us are still interested in reality.
43
@MeToo
All we need are real photos from the ground and air to see if we are being invaded by the hordes.
Show us.......pictures speak a 1000 words.
Why does no one ask for the evidence?
And if a wall, where are the plans to assess real costs?
I just don't get it.
2
Isn't everyone aware that the U.S. has sophisticated remote sensing, image and signal processing, not mention drone and satellite technology that tosses out the need for a wall right out of the running. As early as Viet Nam the US used sensor technology to identify the location of Cambodian troops. It's waste to install a wall when the U.S. is decades past the need for a physical wall. It makes no sense to mine iron ore and manufacture the massive amount of steel needed for the wall all coal intensive that will spew more pollution into our atmosphere.
48
Everybody over the age of ten or who’s read a Tom Clancy novel, yes. But Trump...well, always a tossup between just plain stupid and sure everybody else is.
20
Lindsey Graham is the most pathetic tail-wagger that a president has ever had.
Many of my friends in Iowa was getting tired with his disgusting pandering to Trump.
88
@Joe Graham is in denial. It will haunt him.
2
The issue isn't really the wall.
The issue is that a lot of people think it is an applause line with a price tag in the billions -- not a carefully considered strategy to control the border.
The NYT reported that his campaign aides created it as a way to help Trump remember to include border security in his rallies.
53
dt is all about showmanship. he does not care about anything other than himself.
the GOP must realize the "wall" is a symbolic ego boosting fight. It does not improve security. The real southern border security benefit would be technological innovations and more guards and immigration judges. Caging children, separating families, and the rest of this administrations fear and mongering is not a sustainable solution. The illegal items are moving through our ports of entry as shown in the latest drug action. Building walls in the desert is not the answer. Thank you.
30
Trump had a deal last year that would have provided $25 billion for his wall, but walked away because the extremists around him balked at the bill's help for DACA recipients. That was the best offer he was ever going to get, and he blew it. If he had taken the deal, some of his wall would now be standing. The Trump wall will never be built.
98
@Hardbull you are right but Trump doesn’t really care about the wall. It’s just a big media event to distract from the blue wave and Mueller. He smelled the losing like hot McDonalds french fries. Maybe the media should cover him like a football game - here is Ray Cohn’s play #4. Snacks for this evening’s Loser Bowl.
1
Obviously the President can't take time off to play golf during a National Emergency....
49
@PaulB, Perfect. He'll resign in two months. The shutdown gave us a time frame. His Achilles heel is that he thinks he's Achilles. If he goes two months without golf, how will he explain his perpetual tan?
12
And what office is Graham preening himself for?
21
Lindsey Graham`s comment about this being the defining moment of Trump's presidency is laughable and proves he needs to get out more. The defining moment occurred when the president ordered former press secretary Sean Spicer to go before the press and declare Trump's inaugural crowd was larger than Obama's. At that moment we knew the president was a liar-in-chief.
Since then, he has never proven himself otherwise.
721
@Tom Q
I am fine with this being a defining moment, since it defines him as tripling down on a stupid choice of issues (doubling down cost not only 800K federal employees their money for a month, but also cost contractors and others their livelihoods for a month or longer, and spent 1/12 on the budget for 25% of the government without much direction for contractors that were funded and with no work from 400K while being paid).
Also really shows his inability to work well with others when even McConnell is drifting away (probably not happy with having a 30 day shutdown on his books which will hurt Republicans in 2020).
8
@Tom Q
Sean Spicer chose to lie to the American people. He could have refused Trump's order. Spicer lied to the American public for 182 days. What disturbs me is that Spicer is not shunned by the media. He's been a guest on talk shows and may join the cast of Celebrity Big Brother. Why does the media "reward" those who show no respect for this country?
20
@Tom Q
Makes you wonder what Granny Graham is getting from Russia, doesn't it?
21
The signature issue of the American Revolution was “No taxation without Representation,” from the Boston Tea Party to the Declaration of Independence, which states that “establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States” (by King George III) included “imposing Taxes on us without our Consent”.
This led to protection from taxation without representation in the U. S. Constitution itself; cf. Article 1, Section 7, Clause 1 and Article 1, Section 9, Clause 7. Both of these protect our money by placing the power of the public purse in the hands of our elected representatives. So, in our famous revolution against infamous tyranny, the state was strictly prohibited from taking and spending our money without due process of law.
Now we have a tyrant trying to channel King George III. When it comes to the power of the public purse, the President is just a private citizen like everybody else. He cannot expropriate public money on whim.
But the President seems to have forgotten high school civics, and now wants to commit an act of tyranny. Using his propagandists to create a fake emergency, he wants to spend billions of our public dollars on a Wall, in direct contradiction of the clear will of the House of Representatives (which has refused to fund said Wall, expressing the clear will of the majority of Americans), and thus in clear contradiction of the Constitution he swore to uphold as our Chief Executive.
We must rise up against such tyranny before it is too late.
218
@Stewart Wilber - I have only one criticism here: I don't think Trump ever took civics. He shows no understanding or even acquaintance with the Constitution, other than the 2nd amendment.
1
Trump's base is, on average, much less educated than the Democratic base. The Trump base respond better to visual images and concepts that are within their experience, such as a wall. When confronted with facts they get confused and want to go back to simple generalizations. Trump voters ignore cold hard facts like:
1. by far most drugs come into the US hidden in vehicles or by mail.
2. most illegal immigrants come in legally and then stay after their permission expires.
3. almost all terrorism done on US soil is done by Americans or by legal residents, very very little by illegal immigrants, and none so far by people who ran across parts of the border without fences.
I guess specific facts are too difficult for some folks to digest.
Just like President Trump doesn't pay attention to the details of briefings by his aides or government experts, nor does he read more than 1 page of any report he's given, I'm told. He watches TV instead to get information.
I see how a simple wall makes sense to that level of thinking.
168
@Will Hogan - you are absolutely correct about how the most of the drugs enter the U.S. As proof is the recent discovery of a huge truck load of fentanyl crossing in a truck with a false floor at an official port of entry.
23
@Will Hogan Still, 400,000 people being apprehended each year at the southern border suggest that their is a problem. Whether a wall is the answer or not is up for debate, but certainly the walls and fencing that are there now have discouraged some people from crossing illegally. Overstaying visas need to be addressed and could be done so pretty easily.
2
@thewriterstuff
The 400,000 are a problem because we do not address Central American's many issues. It seems to me we cut off our nose to spite our face.
3
I sometimes wonder if Sen. Graham is trying to help Trump or ensure his fall. With that said, here’s hoping Trump is smart enough to take what Congress offers while boasting about how bad he beat Pelosi. I doubt it.
9
Is there a way to watch the State-Of-The-Union -- and simultaneously take a knee?
Now THAT would annoy him.
122
@Dymphna, try twitter #That would annoy him.
18
@Dymphna A big demonstration outside the Congress building of people taking the knee while he delivers his speech?
10
Trump's scorn of Hispanics is to some degree furthered by Kellyanne Conway, his adviser who is advising him on immigration. She did the same thing as an adviser to former Suffolk County NY Executive Steve Levy who started the Hispanic hatred on Long Island several decades ago. That hatred of Hispanics precipitated the murder of a Hispanic man by a gang of youths in Patchogue NY.
Trump is easily molded to others desires. He is always agreeable when under pressure. Conway and Miller are fervent anti-immigration advocates who have his close attention.
Russia is establishing a presence in south America not far from Central America whose inhabitants are coming here and the focus of Trump scorn and policy. Russia is a threat, always was and always will be. It is in our best interest to not build the wall and tolerate a manageable influx of unarmed Hispanics seeking jobs here. If we continue to heap scorn on our neighbors to the south, they may then oppose us leaving an open path for Russia. It is of paramount importance that we remain friendly with southern nations. The Hispanics here now and in the future will help us defend their old homes and our homes. You must always take the long view.
28
The Constitution provides that budget and spending are the prerogatives of the legislature. POTUS can veto a bill. Should the Republicans jointly show some spine to defend the constitution, passing a continuing resolution or a new bill with enhanced border security, more agents and immigration officials, by a two thirds majority, the nation can move on in a measured fashion.
They often talk the talk bu do Republicans believe in constitutional government? Senator Graham, an attorney, seems to have some difficulty with concept of a supreme legislature. Other Republican senators know that building a wall as a "national emergency," is an extraordinarily bad precedent, even if SOTUS were to approve.
Jeff Roe thinks that the base wants a wall. Do Mitch McConnell and the Senate Republicans want a constitutional crisis?
POTUS may have overplayed his hand.
21
Actually, having the Supreme Court that Trump packed rule in his favor on an emergency declaration for a wall at any cost would be cheap because it would let a Democratic president declare global warming the national emergency it truly is.
33
@Mark
That would assume we continue normal presidential elections with an honest vote tally.
10
No amount of screaming can make this a dignified situation.
11
In its 2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment, the U.S. Intelligence Community started: ‘We assess that high crime rates and weak job markets will spur additional US-bound migrants from the Northern Triangle—El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras—while a political crackdown in Nicaragua dims that country’s already bleak economic outlook. Illicit migration northward from the region shows no signs of abating, despite increased messaging by governments to dissuade potential migrants and stepped-up immigration enforcement by Mexico. Many migrants apparently perceive that traveling in caravans on the journey north affords a certain level of security, and the decision to do so appears to result from a combination of individual motivation, encouragement from social media postings, and politically motivated efforts by some individuals and organizations.
“Migration is likely to continue to fuel social and interstate tensions globally, while drugs and transnational organized crime take a toll on US public health and safety. Political turbulence is rising in many regions as governance erodes and states confront growing public health and environmental threats.”
https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/2019-ATA-SFR---SSCI.pdf
4
@William Case This sounds like historic humanity. We’ve traveled to improve our lot for 75000 years at least. Our fence won’t change human nature.
13
@William Case
Good abstract from the report but Russia is the aggressor we need to separate our nation from by remaining friends with the Southern nations Trump is ridiculing much to the aid of Russia. Don't open a highway for Russia from the south. They have established themselves in South America.
11
@Larry Thompson
My point is that the U.S. Intelligence Community views northward migration as a threat to the United States. Contrary to news media report, the treat is not something Trump made up; it exists.
2
Maybe the problem we have in government today is that our Congress, President as well as many other elected officials are trying to do their jobs based on polls, surveys, and opinions of the people, when it is them who should be telling US what is up. After all, they are supposed to be our eyes and ears on the ground, using their positions to gather the information needed in order to make informed policy decisions. That is their job, rather than reactive hopping around from position to position after the release of every poll. Yes, doing what best policy dictates, rather than what the fickle public desires, is sometimes the better path to take. I think of the late GHW Bush, going back on his "no new taxes" pledge in part because he realized that controlling debt was in the best interest of the country. It cost him much politically, but he worked with both parties to get it done. And the 1990's will be remembered as the longest period of economic growth in US history.
13
Trump should use the SOTU to announce his immediate resignation as President - that would be the only positive news he could give us.
307
@alank maybe next year he will do so after the noose is further tightened around his and his family's necks.
41
@alank
Trump should announce his plans to pardon Don, Jr., Ivanka and Eric Trump along with Chapo Guzman and Roger Stone.
But let Jared Kushner sweat and swing in the wind. Kushner's "Hidden Genius " has produced nothing but failure and misery for the Trump Organization's plans to profit from their occupation of the White House.
3
But for TWO years, when the Republicans controlled Congress, both The Senate and House, there was no funding for the wall issued. Neither was this issue a "National Emergency"!!!!!
528
the explanation given by them was that they were willing to pass but didn't get 60 in the Senate. may be the current Congress should also do the same and blame the Senate
3
Let it be known far and wide that a president who circumvents congress by issuing a non-emergency declaration is no longer deserving of the term president -- he will have become nothing less than a DICTATOR.
394
@BillG But is a *Republican* dictator, they are ok with that. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's what they wanted all along...
31
@BillG Defying the Constitution, as Trump does, seems to me to be the very definition of a high crime or misdemeanor.
32
@Bonnie is correct. It's part of what the Founders had in mind when they included that provision.
26
Remember when McConnell stymied everything President Obama tried to do and he was forced to resort to executive orders? Republicans immediately labeled Obama as a dictator. Trump has issued more executive orders than the Almighty, shutdown the government, circumvented every legislative procedure he can, and now wants to call for an national emergency and to stop women and children from crossing the border, and at a time when border crossings haven't been lower in 20 years! Trump is the real dictator.
As far as McConnell is concerned, he has famously stated that he doesn't do policy. He does politics. McConnell doesn't care about the wall or no wall. He just wants the Senate to remain in GOP hands. His opposition to Trump's emergency declaration is just and only that.
There is nothing wrong with building some fencing in critical areas and doing so would be a good compromise. But Trump has convinced his base that he was going to build a massive, impenetrable 2000 mile long structure. He can't and we don't need it.
So Trump has made a political fool of himself and McConnell wants no part of it. Great!
Nancy Pelosi has checkmated Trump. She won't yield on the wall until Trump is soundly defeated. Then, lo and behold, we will see some effective border security measures, and past without Trump. This could be better than the Mueller report as it will turn Trump's base against him. Maybe we should call him Walley from now on.
39
Lindsey Graham's threat directed at his fellow Republicans is almost farcical. It's like trying to warn people on the Titanic not to run for the lifeboats.
The Republican members of Congress have so far in many cases bucked their conscience and the majority of American voters in "standing behind this president." Is it surprising some of them believe "enough is enough?"
While one can't say enough bad things about the current batch of Republican Congress members and their willingness to put their own selfish needs ahead of the nation and its people, even rats are smart enough to know when it's time to jump ship.
41
Trump's speech will focus on "unity". Said Trump: "let's all be united as Americans and do it my way, build me my wall. See how easy it is? Easy-peasy - just appropriate me my $5,700,000,000 to get started, on the way to $25,000,000, 000 or more, and everyone will be united. Isnt' that great? See, you all get to do what I want and MAGA."
Somehow Trump thinks "unity" means giving him what he wants. I think "unity" means standing firm and not wasting tens of Billions of taxpayer dollars on an ineffectual and unwanted wall. Trump -will- end up uniting us all if he keeps losing his approval... and putting Republican politicians on the spot is a sure way to do that.
I kind of hope Trump does do the whole bogus "national emergency" declaration thing. Because the next Democratic president, after any one of the inevitable mass shootings, can declare a "national emergency" with regard public safety from gun violence, and put in some of the popular gun control measures (universal background checks; safety training, liability insurance, and mental health confiscation requirements; magazine size limits; etc. all without needing the get the NRA Congress to go along. What a wonderful opportunity that will be! Go ahead Trump - establish that precedent. Please. Cement your legacy as the most short-sighted and foolish president ever.
68
Trump will say nothing new, surprising or likely even coherent. I plan to catch up on my Netflix backlog tomorrow night.. The sight of his face makes me ill and the sound of his voice is like chalk on a blackboard.
451
@Pat B
Still it would be nice to know what the Democratic response is responding to.
16
I believe you meant fingernails on a blackboard.
17
@Tim Nelson
He meant squeaky chalk, or fingernails.
15
“This is the defining moment of his presidency,”
It's also a defining moment for Lindsey Graham and any Senator who would surrender control of their branch of government to the President. It's not an emergency, and it can't be legal.
78
I hope Trump will teach the Republicans what a being inside a bonfire is like. They carefully built it and handed him the torch, so all we need is Trump's deluded ego to follow through.
27
Republicans need to think long and hard about this. After all the bemoaning of Obama's use of executive action, an emergency declaration to build the wall would be much more egregious. How ironic if Trump sets a precedent for an emergency declaration on climate change or gun violence.
36
It would be a dangerous precedent, clearing the way for rule by national emergency or dictatorial whim.
I assume that if Trump declares a national emergency there will be an effort to stop him. The eventual solution will be to pare back some of the national emergency legislation that has been passed over the years to give the president the power to deal with real national emergencies.
In the past we have assumed and trusted that the president would use these powers judiciously, while the whole time we knew that in the hands of a fool or a tyrant, a narcissists, or other bungler, they were dangerous powers. We my now see a potentially disastrous abuse of those powers.
It remains to be seen if the Trump/McConnell court will find it within their purview to stop this end run around the constitution and congress.
10
Donald Trump is being poorly served by the completely unqualified White House acolytes who have failed to explain to him the constitutional and Congressional power structure.
The Constitution, in Article I, Sections 8 and 9, grants the Congress the primary authority over raising revenue and allocating spending, as well as trade and tariffs, so any authority the President may now have in these areas has been delegated to him by the consent of the Congress, which inherently has the power to remove from the President those delegated powers.
So Trump will be going down a very risky path if he decides to defy the Congress by issuing an unjustified emergency declaration. This may just be sufficient to anger enough Republicans for them to join with Democrats in overturning the president's authority to divert previously allocated funds. It would take a two-thirds vote to do this.
If this occurs, it would truly emasculate the president, politically, which is precisely what he deserves.
75
Conway blames the last Congress and this congress for not getting things done. The last Congress was all GOP! They didn't get the wall done because there is no emergency! It's all in his head. The reality is that Trump is running everyone towards a cliff and yelling at everyone to keep running! Good luck. Meanwhile, we are dealing with real issues that aren't being addressed.
47
It is a classic case of the reversal of cause and effect, so beloved of authoritarian government.
First, you CREATE an emergency. In this case, there is no real border emergency, none at all. The only “emergency” is that created by the inept and inhumane policies of the Trump administration, and DHS under Kirstjen Nielsen.
Then you SOLVE the emergency” —which you yourself have created—by a draconian measure all out of proportion to reality.
It was a common and beloved tactic of both the authoritarian right and the authoritarian left in the twentieth century.
The antidote is for elected government to DO ITS JOB. Pleas by the likes of Senator Graham that “we need to stick behind Trump on this” are the last thing Democracy in America needs.
36
I seriously doubt this will be “the largest national audience of the year.” On the contrary, I predict the smallest audience since these addresses have been televised. If you couple Trump’s inabilty to deliver a written speech with the utter predictability of its vicious and vacuous content, then not even the appeal of watching the opposition sit on their hands will be enough to draw an audience. I only hope that a good sized crowd will watch Stacey Abrams and that she doesn’t have a Marco Rubio or Bobby Jindahl moment.
27
I am so disgusted by this endless wall distraction. How many times do we need to say no to this guy and his mindless base. When Trump found that he could not force wall funding through Congress even with a complete republican majority, he tried to ignore the topic until Ann Coulter et al balled him out on FOX. Ann Coulter's nagging does not make a national emergency.
Trump promised us infrastructure funding, a perfect medical care system and a trip to Mars, all of which in my mind are more important than some wall that the determined will go under, around or over. And we need to begin hearing to reveal Trump's endless corruption in detail to the world, with or without impeachment. That is what this wall fiasco is really about, Trump's distraction from Mueller's report and the juggernaut in Congress.
33
Sure, Trump, go ahead and declare a fantasy "emergency" to initiate a futile effort to get your vanity project wall with money from . . . where? Then watch the Republican Party crumble like the Whigs. And expect more "emergencies" from future Democratic Presidents: climate change, health care, minority rights, and on and on. These "emergencies" are going to be far more plausible than your stupid wall, and they will devastate the Koch Brothers, and your bigoted xenophobic "base." Good job. So much winning!
283
@William O, Beeman
Yes but smiling and smirking Rodrigo Duterte, Recep Erdogan, Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping and Mohammed bin Salman will be elated with MAGA.
5
Donald, I thought you already charged the wall to your Mexican Express card ?
Looks like Deadbeat Donald just skipped out on another tab.
Trump Universidad: “so much winning !”
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YES, Donald Trump/GOP: Call a National Emergency and build your wall....But when you are gone and we have a Democrat as president (2020) watch what happens.
Millions with no health insureance-National Emergency so single payer health care.
Planet Warming-National Emergency so mandatory shutting down of Coal plants and taxing of all dirty industries.
Mass shootings-National Emergency so serious gun control.
Federal deficit blown up by GOP/Trump-National Emergency so 90 percent tax on ALL income from the 1 percent.
Confederate Statues insult us all-National Emergency they all come down.
Trump Wall offends the world-National Emergency and the wall comes down.
AND ON AND ON....Do it...Call a National Emergency and build your mega wall of hate.
100
Son Of Liberty, if The Con Don is stupid enough to call a "national emergency" WE THE PEOPLE will show him what it means by flooding the streets by the millions with signs that say, "REMOVE THE CON DON NOW".
3
Here is the thing Republican leaders...
Trump does not care about precedents.
Trump does not care about future consequences.
Trump cares about his personal here and now.
Trump cares about Trump.
You made made this bed...
52
I had a thought about Trump's Wall. Those who know me know I am staunchly opposed to making enemies of our neighbors by building a wall. I have justified the better sentinels of military on the border versus a dumb penetrable Wall. With full disclosure of my opposition done, I can write that thinking in Trump's views, what about the Wall as a defense at the border? I would say that militarily, it is terrible. If a Wall existed, an army of any nation attempting an attack would be impeded by a Wall, but so would we. Any breach of the Wall by an attacker would allow a pouring in of a military but preclude our ability to quickly counterattack along the flanks as our counter attack would be thwarted by the Wall. I defer the opinion to the military, but that is what I thought.
There is another concern I have. Russia is making a presence in our hemisphere long term in Cuba and currently in Venezuela to the east of Colombia and Panama. After that is Central America whose nations are very unwisely being scorned by Trump. It is not in our best interests to become estranged from those nations considering Russia's designs on our hemisphere.
I fear disaster tomorrow night. If Trump stirs the masses to further hatred and bigotry towards our neighbors to the South, we may then become in great danger. Consider the geopolitics.
I will carefully listen to and observe Trump while recording his address. Watch carefully for remarks that aid Russia. Will Trump aid Putin?
10
@PATRICK You never seemed to make clear exactly what army was a threat to attack us via the southern border (or any other border for that matter). But it is comforting to think that any attack would be a replay of conventional warfare as long as one can identify an army of a conventional weapons state that would attack the United States across its borders. What states did you have in mind?
3
@Doug Karo
Good question Doug. I was primarily concerned about a Russian invasion in light of past and current history, much too much to write. It could be Russians or a proxy national force. Also consider the possibility of an unidentified force like the ones Russia sent into Ukraine.
Trump's actions have been aiding Russia for some time now. They are shortsighted and expedient but all fail to see the big picture.
4
In the spirit of compromise, I'm willing to vote for the beaded curtain as an equal alternative to the wall. But let that be an end to all talk of border barriers, forever and ever. Amen.
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@carole
Excellent suggestion. A decorative beaded curtain 1500 miles long would be a wonder of the world.
15
Trump flew (again) to Mar a Lago this past weekend (on tax dime) to play yet more golf.
Not exactly the right backdrop for claiming a "national emergency."
He wont get The Wall.
He doesn't have a National Emergency.
2020 is right around the corner, and most R Senators don't want to risk re-election by endorsing govt. by tantrum and extortion.
All Trump has done with his lunacy is paint himself into a corner.
40
McConnell will not cross Trump when it counts. The compromise will be to let Trump declare house-on-fire, and then cut of the path for future use of that path.
11
@kestrelbait
Trump did that when he shut the government down. Every other country in the free world would have voted a vote of no confidence and booted him out for that alone.
McConnell is a coward and an obstructionist.
Trump has not had anything useful to say and I have no reason to believe he will suddenly change for the state of the union. so I won't listen to it.
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I'm absolutely 100 percent fine with a big, beautiful Wall. IF it's made entirely of melted down Guns.
Seriously.
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@Phyliss Dalmatian, and Trump Towers.
37
Republicans just used working class Americans like a dirty old handkerchief. Republicans in congress were never interested in a wall. They are there to pass tax cuts for the wealthy and deregulate corporations. And that’s what they did. They will say they want a wall and blame democrats for not delivering it, but that’s just politics. Trumpers were used.
487
Its shocking how obvious this is now. Trump's picks for cabinet posts and department heads for example, with their ties to polluting industries. America's natural resources are getting plundered by companies, while Trump claims our air is very clean and climate change is a hoax.
32
The sad part is, I doubt many of them even realize, or even care. Perhaps some were woken up by the shutdown, but the rest would line up to let him push them off a cliff.
15
@DR
How obvious this is now?
It was obvious from the day he was elected.
He says he is protecting Americans. I have not felt less secure than in grade school when the teacher told us to get under our desks and not look at the flash when they drop the bomb.
I want him out and America back!
20
If Trump threatens a Shutdown he must be dis-invited form the given q national address. We know the State of the Union - its a shambles!
Trump is an incompetent narcissist that was greased into the Oval Office by a completely corrupt Republican election strategy aided and abetted by the Russians. The Shutdown or the threat of one is a symptom of the collapse of our two-party system.
The Democrats must stand strong against every move the infantile Trump and his Republican lackeys make. It is a matter of loyalty and respect for this nation not to allow the ignorant, selfish, extreme narcissist Trump to have his way. The people of the United States need the reassurance that apparently only the Democrats can provide in these dangerous times. NO to Trump's one-man ego-parade/charade, and NO to the stupid Trump Wall
77
Members of Congress, especially Republican members, under the Constitution, you are co equal to the president. Do your job according to the laws set forth in this magnificent document. If you let Trump declare an emergency for a boarder wall, you will have given him power he is not entitled to. For the sake of our democracy, do your job!
238
'Bout time some of those Republicans balked!
28
Do not watch the State of the Union spectacle; turn your back on him. He needs to know we are tired of his lies, his bullying, and his corruption. Do not watch, do not listen. Let the ratings reflect that no one wanted to hear what he had to say.
868
For he HAS nothing to say.
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@Harry Honestly, I couldn't force myself to watch even if I considered it my civic duty (which I do not). Just to painful to listen to the lies.
139
Agreed! I have had fantasies of just that. He gives his speech and everyone gives him their back. Can you imagine how it would drive him crazy?!
102
An emergency declaration...our Reichstag Fire moment?
119
@Vietnam Vet
I wonder how many of Mr. Trump's relatives back in Germany learned the Horst Wessel Song ("Raise the Flag") in the '30s. It would be interesting to know whether Mr. Trump's German third and fourth cousins are more ashamed of their American counterparts, or the other way around.
Why does Trump think that this emergency declaration is a weapon he can use to pressure Pelosi? Due to litigation, such a declaration would most likely not result in any piece of wall being actually constructed until at least 2021 - and that's if Trump is re-elected, something made less likely by such a declaration. Of course his attempt to circumvent congress would be a constitutional outrage; but his attempt to use the threat of it to blackmail congress is as outrageous.
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@Christian Haesemeyer It's an excuse...
6
At this point, no serious American who loves his or her country can be indifferent to the crisis that is now, metaphorically speaking, our great white whale.
Without intending any malice on the issue of race, this Captain Ahab president has already had a leg bitten off by his obsession with a wall. The monster, the American people, is ready to rise up and devour its relentless pursuer. Even Republicans have had enough. Except, perhaps, Lindsey Graham.
"This is the defining moment of his presidency," parroted the South Carolinian, the presidential footman and boot polisher. The State of the Union address will be just another in a series of markers in which the guardrails, upon which American governance has rested for most of a quarter-millennium, now appear dented and missing sections along the high-speed way.
As the captain postures about his wall, it has escaped his ignorant notice that his Republicans in the boat are desperate, frantic to find away off the vessel but are leery of the great whale swimming to and fro, gnashing its teeth and threatening the sailors who are all but ready to abandon his leaking ship.
This president will continue on his perilous way because he knows naught of retreat or compromise. Anything like a nod to common sense or to political realities is interpreted by him as weakness. He is posturing, like Falstaff, on the bare stage, playing to a dwindling audience of support that may, at long last, realize that their captain is weaponless.
78
But, will they pay attention to the leviathan?
8
@ Red Sox
Squeal like a pig, Lindsey.
Apologies to John Boorman.
8
@Red Sox, '04, '07, '13, ‘18, -- Quint's soliloquy in "Jaws" about the fate of the sailors on the USS Indianapolis comes to mind. The difference is that the president has torpedoed his own vessel with his intransigence on his wall and now Republicans are the ones who are adrift in the dark sea, thrashing about for safety, fearing that they'll be swallowed up by their own leader.
The president has destroyed his own USS Indianapolis and Republicans can only hope that the country isn't next.
7
How come our vast multi billion dollar intel complex with thousands of professionals did not select the southern border situation as a top crises to consider. Willful ignorance by Trump will get our country into deep trouble as he will make policy based on his whim or input from conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones. When a real crises happens to America Trump will be ill informed and would doubt his intel team. Will he call Putin and say well Coates told me one thing but Mr. Putin told me the real facts and I believe him.
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@REBCO
I think it's more "Legs" Coulter. (Note to anyone who thinks that is sexist: It's based on her self-presentation.)
9
Let’s stop fighting ourselves and letting the GOP kick us in the face. We’ve been making these types of promises for ten to 15 years. We want comprehensive gun reform. If not, declare a national emergency.
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@Pete
And one on the basis that thousands of children appear to be vanishing from the states along the Rio Grande, never to be seen again!
16