As the 2024 presidential race looms, Donald Trump, a candidate burdened by two impeachments, four indictments, and a controversial history, has managed to dominate the Republican field, defying expectations and securing a substantial lead over Joe Biden in national and state polls.
Despite facing criticism for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and perpetuating baseless claims about the 2020 election, Trump appears emboldened and financially invigorated following a recent Colorado Supreme Court ruling that declared him ineligible for the state’s primary ballot.
The Democrats, grappling with internal divisions and public dissatisfaction, find themselves trailing behind a candidate they have labeled as “worse than Hitler.” This sentiment has sparked questions about the party’s standing and its ability to resonate with voters.
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Amidst this political landscape, an unexpected shift is occurring along the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly in Democratic strongholds like El Paso. The once-immigrant-friendly city, which favored Biden by a significant margin in 2020, is witnessing a surprising turn of events. Latino residents, disillusioned by the Biden administration’s handling of immigration, are expressing a growing preference for Trump.
The border has become a focal point of contention, as record-breaking numbers of migrants, not only from Latin America but also from China, Haiti, and the Middle East, flood into the United States. The Biden White House’s perceived mismanagement of immigration has strained the patience of the nation, forcing Customs and Border Patrol to shut down key U.S.-Mexico rail crossings and redirect resources to address the overwhelming influx of migrants.
El Paso residents, once firmly aligned with Democratic ideals, now voice concerns about the deteriorating situation. Interviews conducted by Politico reveal sentiments such as, “Everything’s gone to s—,” reflecting the frustration among the local population. Even those who did not support Trump in 2016 are reconsidering their stance, echoing a desire for his return.
The chaos at the border, marked by the closure of rail crossings and unprecedented delays affecting thousands of rail cars, spells trouble for Democrats. With Customs and Border Patrol struggling to manage the record-breaking flow of migrants—exceeding 10,000 people a day—and the nature of immigration diversifying, the party faces significant challenges in fulfilling its basic governance responsibilities.
As illegal border crossings surpass 2 million in successive budget years, and migrants from diverse regions such as Senegal, Guinea, and India contribute to the surge, Democrats are confronted with the stark reality that they are failing to protect the border. Aerial shots depicting the influx at El Paso and Eagle Pass serve as daily reminders of this failure.
The repercussions are evident in public opinion, with Americans expressing disapproval of Joe Biden’s handling of immigration by over 30 points, according to the RealClearPolitics average of polls. The administration’s struggles with inflation and concerns about Biden’s age further contribute to a growing sense of dissatisfaction among the electorate.
While Democrats persist in labeling Trump with historical comparisons like “Hitler” and “Mussolini,” the American people appear more preoccupied with the challenges posed by the current administration. As the nation grapples with the immigration crisis, Democrats face the daunting task of explaining their perceived failures and regaining the trust of an increasingly skeptical electorate.
