5 chapters across the catalog
Senator Mark Wayne Mullen has been confirmed as the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security with a 54-45 vote. He inherits an agency in the midst of a shutdown and faces questions regarding his approach to immigration enforcement compared to his predecessor. During the confirmation process, Senator Rand Paul notably opposed the appointment, citing concerns over Mullen's "anger issues."
The Department of Homeland Security is facing a partial shutdown as Democrats and Republicans clash over immigration enforcement. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan discussed the need for "common sense guardrails" on federal agents, including requirements for agents to wear identification and avoid wearing masks during operations. The hosts criticize the use of the term "recess" and "allies" in NPR's coverage.
ICE patrols in Fredericksburg, Texas, have reportedly targeted domestic workers in gated communities like Boot Ranch, leading to a shortage of maid services. Residents note that enforcement has shifted from targeting criminals to meeting quotas, affecting long-term residents who have lived in the community for decades. The crackdown has sparked local debate over the balance between immigration law and the local service economy.
A 1994 clip of Senator Dianne Feinstein shows her taking a hardline stance on border enforcement and the costs of illegal immigration to California's welfare and prison systems. The hosts contrast this historical position with current Democratic rhetoric, attributing the shift to "Orange Man Bad" sentiment.
New York Attorney General candidate Zephyr Teachout campaigned on a platform to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She characterized the agency as a "tool of cruelty" born out of xenophobia post-9/11. Teachout pledged to use the AG's office to prosecute ICE for what she described as criminal acts and unconstitutional behavior.
