In 2016, Donald J. Trump rose to the top of the Republican field for President of the United States with his unwavering commitment to build the wall along America’s southern border should voters grant him the privilege of serving as Commander in Chief. The rest is history. Trump easily beat numerous primary election foes and held off a competitive challenge from Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton to capture the White House.
“Build the wall” became more than a campaign slogan. President Trump was very serious about keeping his promises to the American people, and border security was a top commitment. The administration sought to work with Congress to procure the necessary funds to complete the wall along the entire southern border. However, these efforts were very slow, as liberal political and special interests fought the Trump Administration at every turn. Thankfully, President Trump did not give up and relentlessly installed as many miles of the wall as he could before leaving office at the conclusion of his first term.
Then the Biden Administration began, ushering in the worst border crisis in our country's history. Millions of illegal aliens poured into the United States – largely unabated by walls or executive policies. Cartels exploited holes in the border wall, directing their loads of migrants to the gaps for easy access into America. Biden shamefully let materials for the wall go unused, wasting them on the desert floor near the international border with Mexico, where they rusted away.
When President Trump assumed office again in January 2024, he immediately set out to secure the border – this time with more resolve than his previous term. The Trump Administration resumed efforts to build the wall at the border, closing the gaps and improving technology to aid agents in pursuing illegal crossers. Unfortunately, these actions to build the wall have again met opposition from the usual suspects from the first term – liberal politicians and special interests.
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One of these fights over the border wall occurred in my home state of Arizona, where a federal judge in Tucson just cleared the way to keep building in the San Raphael Valley. Activist groups had tried to stop the construction of this wall, claiming the administration acted outside the law. However, they lost. The court ruled that the authority was lawful, limited, and granted by Congress.
The court’s ruling in this case matters because border security shouldn’t depend on politics or who happens to be in the White House. Presidents come and go. Strong enforcement today doesn’t guarantee strong enforcement tomorrow. That’s exactly why we need lasting physical security. We must have more wall, more barriers, and more infrastructure that protects Arizona – no matter who is Commander in Chief in the Oval Office.
As we saw so clearly over the past four years before President Trump re-entered the White House, when enforcement weakens, the consequences don’t stay in Washington. The dangers manifest in countless ways within local jurisdictions, destroying our communities and tearing apart our families. Deadly drugs carried by smugglers and funneled into many neighborhoods, schools, and homes from coast to coast, killing our sons and daughters. Violent criminals, hardened gang members, and suspected terrorists cross the border and wreak havoc among unsuspecting men, women, and children. These aren't just theories; these are the cold, hard facts on the ground.
"Build the Wall" may have become a campaign slogan, but it is very much so a life-or-death proposition. If we don't build the wall, then more Americans will die. If we build the wall, then more Americans will live. It's that simple.
As a public servant, and a longtime law enforcement officer, I understand that government's responsibility is to protect its citizens. I have sworn oaths in my capacity to defend my state and country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That's why I am working with President Trump to support his efforts to finish building the wall. There are few things more important we could be doing in our sacred offices. Once and for all - let's build the wall!
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