Letters from an American Republican Governance in This Era
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Mar 29, 2026 A deep dive into the fight over DHS funding and the standoff that left TSA pay in limbo. A look at how MAGA extremism has hamstrung Republican governing and provoked public backlash over immigration enforcement. Discussion of the SAVE Act's voter roll effects and the Senate's move to withhold new ICE and CBP funds pending reforms. Brief coverage of tensions with Iran and the resulting economic ripples.
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ICE and Border Patrol Actions Led To Fatal Incidents
- DHS policy choices under Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, and Corey Lewandowski led to aggressive ICE and Border Patrol actions in cities.
- Richardson cites videos of agents beating people and the murders of Renee Good and Alex Preddy as outcomes of that regime.
Public Opinion Shapes Senate Leverage On ICE Funding
- Public opinion turned strongly against Trump's immigration approach, constraining Senate Democrats' leverage.
- PRRI polling showed 35% approve of Trump's immigration handling and only 36% want more ICE funding, shaping senators' stance.
Senate Democrats Withhold Blanket Funding For ICE
- Senate Democrats repeatedly sought to fund DHS excluding ICE and Border Patrol to withhold a blank check.
- Republicans, pressured by Trump, voted down those measures insisting on House-level full DHS funding including ICE and CBP.