Inside the Beltway: Caravan sparks call to build the wall

NEWS AND OPINION:

President Trump recently cited “Democrat-supported loopholes in our federal laws” as the reason that most immigrant families who crossed the border illegally are not detained or removed from the U.S. — “only released.” Recent numbers appear to reflect the influence of the loophole factor.

“We have seen a record-shattering surge in the arrival of family units, with more than 161,000 family unit apprehensions and inadmissibles in fiscal year 2018. This historic surge was 42 percent higher than any previous year on record. In the last three months, family unit apprehensions made up the highest percentage of total apprehensions in history,” the White House said in a statement released Tuesday.

“Of the family unit aliens from non-contiguous countries who arrived in FY 2017, only around 1.4 percent have been repatriated as of June 30, 2018. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities are at 98 percent capacity. Shelters for unaccompanied alien minors are operating at 88 percent capacity,” the White House noted, also citing a report from Doctors Without Borders that revealed that more than two-thirds of those making the journey north become victims of violence along the way.

As the situation surrounding the approaching Honduran “caravan” grows more dramatic and media coverage more strident, some feel compelled to step forward and support Mr. Trump’s persistent call to mend porous borders and bring order.

“We need to get serious about building the wall. Period. I spent time along our southern border this summer learning about the everyday obstacles of border patrol officers in Texas and Arizona. These brave officers risk their lives every day to keep their communities safe — busting drug cartels and protecting the vulnerable women and children who often get caught in human trafficking,” says Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund Chair Jenny Beth Martin.

“By advocating for the illegal entry of this 7,500-plus migrant caravan, Democrats and the liberal media are encouraging a dangerous precedent that would further endanger the lives of these officers and the communities they protect. It is reckless and shameful. We fully support President Trump’s call for law and order along our border,” says Ms. Martin, who also believes that a border wall will help quell the opioid epidemic in the U.S.

Is there a partisan divide in all this? Absolutely. A new Pew Research Center poll of nearly 9,000 voters finds that “illegal immigration” is ranked as the top “very big problem” in the U.S. by 75 percent of Republicans voters — compared to 19 percent of Democratic voters. More numbers on such divides in the Poll du Jour at column’s end.

TRUMP ’DICTATES THE NATIONAL DISCUSSION’

When he took office, President Trump brought a valuable skill set with him, honed during his productive time in the private sector and in the realms of big business and show business.

“Much of what the president says on Twitter and during political rallies can be interpreted as deliberate and designed to control the conversation. The problem with Republicans has always been they have no fight in them and make no attempt to control what people are discussing in the media — and by media, I do not just mean the mainstream media — I mean all media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Republicans have always been reactive, not proactive,” writes American Thinker columnist William L. Gensert.

“President Trump has sure changed that, hasn’t he? For the first time in my memory it is a Republican dictating the national discussion. He says something on Twitter or at a rally, then he steps back and watches as the mainstream media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, strangers on line at Whole Foods (’Thank you, come again’) lose their collective minds in horror about the insensitivity,” Mr. Gensert continues.

“Trump is a fighter and he’s shown Republicans that while losing with honor may make you feel good for a day, winning ugly will make you feel good for a lifetime. Trump has Democrats playing his game and it’s not a good look for them.”

MR. TODD’S TAKE ON THE MIDTERMS

NBC’s “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter for a chat about journalism, politics and other matters.

“How will Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court affect the midterms,” broadcast columnist Jeanine Poggi asked Mr. Todd.

“We’re still in the window of immediacy of it. If Kavanaugh is still an issue, it probably means Republicans are still going to hold the Senate. But history says voters don’t go to the polls to say thank you in a midterm election. They go to the polls to say F you,” he replied.

FOXIFIED

Fox News Channel remains the most-watched cable network throughout the day in the last week, according to Nielsen Media Research, marking 41 consecutive weeks as top dog in the entire cable realm. In the prime-time realm, Fox News also aired a dozen of the top 30 telecasts on cable in total viewers, with “Hannity,” “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” “The Ingraham Angle” and “The Five” leading the way in the ratings blitz.

As it has for more than 16 years, Fox News remained the leading cable news network — garnering 2.6 million viewers, compared to 1.4 million for MSNBC and 850,000 for CNN. This marks the third week in a row that Fox News has emerged as a ratings dynamo, garnering more viewers than CNN and MSNBC combined.

Fox Business Network is having a good week as well, according to Nielsen. The debut of “Trish Regan Primetime” contributed to the network’s highest rated week in history, according to Neilsen. Once again, Fox Business bested CNBC in total viewers throughout the day with a 16 percent ratings advantage over its rival.

POLL DU JOUR

• 67 percent of U.S. voters say “ethics in government” is a big problem; 62 percent of Republicans and 80 percent of Democrats agree.

• 55 percent say “the way the U.S. political system operates” is a big problem; 49 percent of Republicans and 68 percent of Democrats agree.

• 53 percent say “gun violence” is a big problem; 25 percent of Republicans and 81 percent of Democrats agree.

• 51 percent say violent crime is a big problem; 47 percent of Republicans and 49 percent of Democrats agree.

• 43 percent say climate change is a big problem; 11 percent of Republicans and 72 percent of Democrats agree.

• 42 percent say illegal immigration is a big problem; 75 percent of Republicans and 19 percent of Democrats agree.

• 34 percent say sexism is a big problem; 12 percent of Republicans and 50 percent of Democrats agree.

Source: A Pew Research Center survey of 8,904 U.S. adults conducted Sept. 24-Oct. 7 and released Monday.

• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin