Top Democrat Says Americans Need To Suffer So Democrats Can Have Political ‘Leverage’

Democrat Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives Katherine Clark said that American families are going to have to suffer through the Democrat-led government shutdown so that the party can retain its “leverage.” “Shutdowns are terrible. And of course there will be families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously, but […]

Trump Border Czar Asks Indiana To Help Send Biden’s Millions Of Border Crossers Home

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita seeks stronger immigration enforcement powers to help the Trump administration fix Biden's border crisis.

Don Lemon claims illegal border crossings ‘aren’t criminal’ — gets schooled by Chicago residents



In another man-on-the-street-style interview, Don Lemon has proven yet again that he is devoid of common sense on the topic of illegal immigration — telling a woman mid-interview that crossing the border illegally is “not a criminal act.”

“It’s a misdemeanor,” he added.

The woman, surprised, asked, “So why are they being sent back and saying that they’re breaking the law?”

“That’s the point,” Lemon responded, before doubling down on a misdemeanor not being a criminal act.


“So why charge at all, then, if it’s not a criminal act?” she asked.

“Because we have different levels of crime. Everything is not the same,” Lemon answered.

“So it is crime,” she shot back.

“He’s confused himself now,” BlazeTV host Pat Gray says on “Pat Gray Unleashed.”

“He thinks that because he’s talking to a black woman in Chicago, she’s going to be on his side. That’s the kind of idiot he is, because he’s not exposed to anything but his own little world where he hates Donald Trump and everything Trump does,” Gray says.

“He’s not aware of the fact, I’ll bet you, that so many of these Chicago residents are fed up to here with all this nonsense. They don’t want illegal aliens taking their jobs. They don’t want them in our country,” he continues.

In the interview, Lemon continues doubling down on the idea that crossing the border illegally is not a crime, while the woman and another man that he’s interviewing grow more insistent that it is.

“You’re breaking the rules, but you’re not necessarily breaking a law,” Lemon argued, and when asked what happens if you break the rules, he answered, “You suffer the consequences.”

“No one is saying no one should suffer the consequences. You guys are getting things mixed up,” he added.

Gray is shocked, commenting, “Don, you’ve lost.”

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Exclusive: Brandon Gill unveils key legislation to accelerate deportations for criminal aliens



Republican Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas is doing his part to ramp up deportation efforts across the country.

Gill introduced landmark legislation on Wednesday that would effectively close loopholes and expand expedited removal authority to cover violent criminal aliens, according to bill text obtained exclusively by Blaze News. The bill also mandates the detention and expedited removal of violent criminals, gang members, and terrorists while also ensuring they are unable to abuse asylum protections.

'Democrat leaders invited them to invade our county en masse.'

The current law primarily limits expedited removal to migrants who recently crossed within 100 miles of the border and within 14 days of entry. Because of existing loopholes and procedures, criminal aliens are often sorted into slower and more standard removal proceedings.

In contrast, Gill's legislation addresses the removal of criminal aliens with urgency.

RELATED: Inside the Portland ICE facility under siege by Antifa extremists

Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

"Our number one priority should be to protect American communities," Gill told Blaze News. "America should never be a safe haven for gang members, terrorists, or violent offenders."

"Yet, Democrat leaders invited them to invade our county en masse," Gill added. "Serious crimes require decisive consequences. My bill backs President Trump's efforts to capture and deport violent illegal aliens quickly at the behest of Americans across the nation who want their families to thrive in a safe society."

RELATED: Federal agents clash with mob of Antifa-fueled, anti-ICE protesters in Portland

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Over the course of President Joe Biden's administration, there were over 10 million migrant encounters in the United States, according to Customs and Border Protection.

Since President Donald Trump took office in January, migrant encounters have plummeted to historic lows, with illegal crossings across the United States-Mexico border dropping to the lowest levels in over half a century. Gill indicated his legislation would continue this trend and help codify Trump's immigration policy.

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8 things Chicago has done to put illegal immigrants first



Tensions are escalating between Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), and the Trump administration.

With Trump's White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller delivering strong remarks as of late and promising to rid American streets of crime, liberal cities have been put on notice that the federal government finally wants to put an end to the dangers of gang activity and criminality.

'Being a welcoming city means being a city that embraces people equally with open arms.'

Chicago has been known as a dangerous city for decades, but now that the feds are stepping in, Democrats are getting in the way. Chicago has a detailed history of supporting illegal immigrants on the municipal level. Here's how:

The beginning of sanctuary city policies

Chicago's sanctuary city status dates all the way back to 1985, when Mayor Harold Washington (D) signed an executive order that stated city workers could not ask people about their immigration status.

The city joined other liberal strongholds like Cambridge, Massachusetts; St. Paul, Minnesota; as well as California cities Los Angeles, Hollywood, San Francisco, and Berkeley.

That year, an estimated 80,000 people from Guatemala and El Salvador lived in San Francisco.

The Welcoming City Ordinance

In 2012, Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) all but officially made Chicago a sanctuary city with the Welcoming City Ordinance. Using careful terms, the ordinance implemented protections for illegal aliens "who have not been convicted of a serious crime and are not wanted on a criminal warrant."

Ironically, Emanuel said the city was "welcoming those who play by the rules," but forced Chicago police to train with "immigrant advocacy groups to build trust within immigrant communities."

The ordinance is still promoted today, with Chicago boasting that it prohibits city employees from assisting in the investigation of a person's immigration status, absent a federal or court order.

RELATED: Texas National Guard deployed to Chicago amid increasing left-wing violence

People lock arms as residents of Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood confront ICE agents in 2025. Photo by OCTAVIO JONES/AFP via Getty Images

Lori Lightfoot blocks cops from helping ICE

In 2021, Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) updated the Welcoming City Ordinance to target police activity and even limit their ability to assist in federal investigations.

According to the Chicago Police Department, the update declared that police could no longer detain, arrest, or hold anyone based on their immigration status or civil immigration warrants. It also prevented police from transferring criminals into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody for immigration enforcement.

The update even removed the use of the word "citizen" from official city forms, replacing it with "person" or "resident."

"Being a welcoming city means being a city that embraces people equally with open arms, where no one has to fear being their authentic self, walking down the street, doing business, earning a living and taking care of their family," the mayor said at the time, per ABC 7.

City council blocks effort to deport gang members and drug dealers

In January 2025, Chicago's city council voted 39-11 to prevent a vote on allowing police to cooperate with federal authorities in apprehending individuals accused of certain crimes.

Police would have been allowed to work with ICE in relation to gang-related activities such as intimidation, loitering, and recruitment; drug dealing; prostitution; and sex crimes involving minors.

The measure was tabled, though, and Mayor Johnson supported the decision with the claim Chicago emphasizes community safety and trust.

Campaign to inform illegal aliens

That same month, Mayor Johnson launched an informational campaign for illegal immigrants to "Know Your Rights."

Written in foreign languages like Spanish and Chinese, the city targeted public transit with ads to help illegal residents know their way around legal situations.

Mayor Johnson said he was rejecting intimidation tactics from the Trump administration and reaffirmed that Chicago would remain a "welcoming and sanctuary space."

RELATED: Chicago mayor creates 'ICE-free zones' meant to impede federal agents — White House fires off brutal response

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at a news conference to address President Donald Trump's plan to send National Guard troops into the city on August 25, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images.

Work permits for illegal aliens?

Mayor Johnson asked President Biden in 2024 to help him secure work permits for illegal aliens in Chicago.

This was one of Johnson's priorities on the first anniversary of taking office. Johnson worked with activist groups to attempt to extend permits to those who the city claimed have paid taxes in the U.S. for decades, not new arrivals.

While it was unclear whether the taxes referred to sales taxes or income tax paid through fraudulent identities, Johnson said he wanted to "extend the same economic opportunities to our long-term undocumented brothers and sisters."

Thankfully, his bid was unsuccessful.

Suing the Trump administration

Chicago and Illinois sued the Trump administration just this week over plans to deploy the National Guard to the city. The "deployment of federalized troops to Illinois is patently unlawful," the lawsuit stated, per CNN.

The plaintiffs further asked the court to put a stop to the "illegal, dangerous, and unconstitutional federalization of members of the National Guard of the United States, including both the Illinois and Texas National Guard."

Trump deployed 400 troops from the Texas National Guard to Chicago recently, as ICE agents have been under attack during ongoing protests and riots outside ICE facilities. The lawsuit also asked the court to declare the federalization of National Guardsmen illegal.

President Trump, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth were all named as defendants.

'ICE-free zones'

Stunningly, Mayor Johnson announced "ICE-free zones" in October 2025, allegedly aimed at "reining in" the Trump administration.

"The order establishes ICE-free zones. That means that city property and unwilling private businesses will no longer serve as staging grounds for [ICE] raids," the mayor claimed.

Johnson said ICE agents would not be allowed to "rampage" through the city. The mayor also said he wished to strengthen Chicago's role as a "welcoming city."

The mayor claimed the move was in reaction to ICE using Chicago Public Schools' parking lots as staging sites for enforcement operations, though whether federal immigration agents have used schools during operations is unclear.

In remarks to Blaze News, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said that Mayor Johnson's demonization of ICE agents has increased assaults against them by "1,000%."

She added, "Mayor Johnson has shown time and time again he does not care about the safety of our federal law enforcement officers or Chicagoans. ... His reckless policies not only endanger our law enforcement, but public safety."

Blaze News has reached out to Johnson's office for comment.

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Honor system? More like fraud system



Most Americans assume proof of citizenship is required to vote. It isn’t. But thanks to the Trump administration’s new rule, the honor system that governs voter registration may finally be replaced with real safeguards.

At a time when Americans can’t seem to agree on anything — not even how to avoid a government shutdown — one principle still unites the country: Only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections.

By requiring proof of citizenship at the point of registration, the Trump administration is doing what most Americans already assumed was happening.

A new poll from the Center for Excellence in Polling found that 87% of likely voters, including 80% of Democrats, support requiring individuals to prove their citizenship before registering.

The catch? More than 60% of those same voters believe the law already requires it. Nearly 70% of Democrats think citizenship is verified before registration. They’re wrong.

The honor system invites abuse

Yes, it’s illegal for noncitizens to register to vote. But the “verification” process amounts to checking a box. Election officials take applicants at their word. The result: a nationwide honor system for one of our most fundamental rights.

And bad actors are exploiting it. A 2024 study estimates that between 10% and 27% of noncitizens living in the United States are registered to vote. Census data suggests that could mean anywhere from 2 million to 5 million noncitizens on the rolls.

Consider Michigan, where a Chinese citizen faces felony charges for illegally voting in the 2024 election. Or Florida, where Russian and Uzbek nationals were arrested for allegedly conspiring to submit 132 fraudulent registration applications.

The problem goes beyond isolated cases. In Iowa, the Des Moines superintendent — earning roughly $286,000 a year — was arrested by ICE for living in the country illegally. He had been registered to vote in Maryland since 2012.

These examples add to a growing list of noncitizens caught on voter rolls in Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

A long-standing vulnerability

Election fraud isn’t new. After the September 11 attacks, investigators discovered that eight of the 19 hijackers were registered to vote in Virginia or Florida, most likely through routine driver’s license applications.

For decades, we’ve known this vulnerability exists. But only now do we have a serious effort to close it.

The Trump administration steps in

President Trump signed an executive order this year requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. The Election Assistance Commission has followed up with a proposed rule that would make documentary proof of citizenship mandatory.

RELATED: Trump order leads to investigation of 33 potential incidents of noncitizen voting, AG Paxton says

BackyardProduction via iStock/Getty Images

The Foundation for Government Accountability will be submitting comments in support of this rule before the October 20 deadline, alongside many others calling for stronger election security.

The proposal does more than enforce the law — it meets Americans where they already are. Voters believe citizenship is required to register, and they want it enforced. This rule would finally align government policy with public expectation.

Voting is not a casual privilege. It is a right that belongs exclusively to citizens of the United States. That right is weakened every time the honor system allows a noncitizen to slip through.

By requiring proof of citizenship at the point of registration, the Trump administration is doing what most Americans already assumed was happening: protecting the ballot box for citizens and restoring trust in the democratic process.

The carnage no one talks about: Drunk driving and illegal aliens



Conservatives have long noticed a disturbing pattern: Hispanic illegal aliens appear again and again in drunk-driving cases. Recent news searches bring up multiple examples, some involving the deaths of children.

This summer’s tragedy in Wisconsin made the problem impossible to ignore — yet the corporate left-wing press tried to do just that. Two high school sweethearts, Hallie Helgeson and Brady Heiling, died when a drunk driver going the wrong way slammed into their car. Just weeks earlier they had gone to prom together.

Americans deserve more than platitudes and silence. They deserve honesty about the cultural, biological, and policy factors behind drunk driving.

The driver was Noelia Saray Martinez-Avila, a Honduran illegal alien who had racked up multiple drunk-driving charges. She lived in a sanctuary jurisdiction that shielded her from deportation. Only under the Trump administration’s renewed immigration enforcement did local authorities finally hand her over to ICE.

A cultural problem that fuels tragedy

The Wisconsin case was heartbreaking, but it was not unique. In 2007, the Raleigh News & Observer published a rare report on the problem. A Mexican man admitted he thought he “drove better after a few beers” and that drunk driving was normal in Mexico. At the time, alcohol-related crashes caused by Hispanic drivers in North Carolina were three times higher than for non-Hispanics.

The national data confirms the trend. Hispanic drunk-driving rates are roughly double those of whites. Alcohol-use disorder is three times as common. More than a third of Hispanic alcohol-dependent users relapse, compared with 23% of whites.

Binge-drinking drives much of the danger. Hispanics are more likely than whites to consume large amounts of alcohol in one sitting. Forty-two percent of Hispanic drinkers admit to three or more drinks per day, compared to 30% of whites.

The numbers don’t lie

Mexicans, who make up half of the illegal alien population, show the highest risk. Mexican-Americans are three times more likely than whites to develop alcohol-use disorder. FBI crime data reported last year shows that Hispanics, 19% of the U.S. population, account for 30% of drunk-driving arrests and 44% of public drunkenness arrests.

In California, where Hispanics made up 37% of the population at the time, they represented 44% of DUI charges in 2012 (the latest I could find). In North Carolina, Hispanics were just 8% of the population but accounted for 18% of 75,000 DUI arrests in 2007.

New Mexico illustrates the deadly stakes. With a population that is half Hispanic, the state suffers nearly three times the national alcohol-related death rate. Five people die every day from alcohol. Before reforms in the 2000s, New Mexico’s DUI crash rate stood 70% higher than the national average.

The pattern reflects Mexico itself. In the United States, drunk drivers cause 31% of traffic deaths. In Mexico, the figure is over 70%. About 24,000 Mexicans die annually in alcohol-linked crashes — more than twice the U.S. toll despite the population difference. Until recently, most Mexican states had no legal blood-alcohol limits, and licensing often required little more than paying a fee.

Native populations face even steeper risks. In McKinley County, New Mexico, where the population is 80% Native American, the alcohol-related death rate is three times higher than the state average and ten times the national average.

Research points to genetic factors. Enzymes that mediate alcohol’s effects vary by ethnic group. Indigenous populations, exposed to alcohol only in the last 300 years, show far higher vulnerability. With Mexicans being heavily Mestizo — roughly 20% indigenous and 60% mixed indigenous (Mestizo) — the biological risk compounds the cultural one.

The media silence

Given decades of national campaigns against drunk driving, one might expect attention to this ethnic dimension. Instead, the media downplay or ignore it. An America First lobbying group once tried to enlist Mothers Against Drunk Driving to raise awareness, but the effort went nowhere.

RELATED: ‘Imminent hazard’: Trump administration shuts licensing loophole after illegal alien trucker allegedly causes fatal crash

c_sorvillo via iStock/Getty Images

Academics sometimes excuse the problem by claiming Hispanic immigrants drink out of depression or isolation. Yet the biggest consumers are Puerto Ricans, not Mexicans. Cuban-Americans drink the least. Mexican women report the lowest rates of all, meaning the averages are driven almost entirely by men.

And claims of “racial profiling” ring hollow. Most offenders are caught at night, their identities confirmed by arrest records, not stereotypes.

Why it matters

Democrats dismiss these realities for the same reason they ignore illegal aliens’ broader lawbreaking: victimhood politics. They portray Hispanics as downtrodden and conservatives as cruel.

But the grief of families like the Helgesons and Heilings is not a talking point. It is permanent loss. It is trauma that echoes for generations.

Americans deserve more than platitudes and silence. They deserve honesty about the cultural, biological, and policy factors behind drunk driving. They deserve leaders who will enforce immigration law, reject sanctuary loopholes, and tell the truth about the risks that put their families in danger.