Sen. Eric Schmitt sharply criticized Democratic leadership over the government shutdown and immigration policy during an exchange with Harris Faulkner, arguing that Democrats are out of step with both longstanding law and public opinion on border enforcement.
Faulkner opened the discussion by questioning whether Democratic leaders understand the real-world consequences of their actions, particularly amid recent crises affecting Americans.
“Maybe they don’t actually live here, those Democrat leaders, because if you were here the last few days, you’re going to need some FEMA money. Like, what are they even thinking right now?” Faulkner asked.
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Schmitt responded by condemning Democrats’ approach to the shutdown and immigration debate, calling it reckless and counterproductive.
“Well, this is weapons grade stupid. I don’t know what else to say,” Schmitt said.
“I mean, they did this before they ultimately backed down and capitulated. A lot of people didn’t get paid. You know, it was just, it’s a stupid way to kind of handle policy.”
Schmitt said that if Democrats want to argue immigration policy, the proper venue is legislative debate rather than shutdown brinkmanship.
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“And look, do you want to have a debate on immigration? Fine, let’s have a debate on the Senate floor,” he said.
He emphasized that current enforcement actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security are based on laws passed with bipartisan support.
“The fact of the matter is ICE right now, and DHS is carrying out the laws that Republicans and Democrats have passed as a sovereign nation to secure our border and deport people who are here illegally,” Schmitt said.
Schmitt noted that immigration enforcement has historically been supported by both parties, including Democratic administrations.
“Republicans and Democrats voted on this stuff. Democrat presidents have deported millions of people in the last 20 years,” he said.
According to Schmitt, the Democratic Party’s position has shifted dramatically in recent years, moving away from enforcement toward policies he described as open borders.
“But something has changed. They’re an open borders crowd now,” Schmitt said.
“They don’t actually believe that our country should be able to decide who comes in and how long you can stay and when you need to leave.”
He said this shift represents a fundamental departure from past policy and has created a sharp divide between Democratic leaders and the American public.
“So we’re a fundamentally different place right now,” Schmitt said.
Schmitt argued that public opinion overwhelmingly favors enforcement of immigration laws, pointing to recent polling data.
“And I think the Democrats This is not popular with the American people. Their position on this?” he said.
“You saw recent polling over the weekend, Americans support deporting people who are here illegally.”
He contrasted current Democratic positions with the immigration actions taken during the Biden-Harris administration, which he said were unprecedented.
“And it’s unprecedented what the Biden administration did,” Schmitt said.
Schmitt concluded by tying immigration enforcement back to President Donald Trump’s campaign platform and the expectations of voters.
“President Trump ran on it, and now we need to fulfill those campaign promises,” he said.
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