President Donald Trump is stuck in an immigration enforcement nightmare with no good options in sight, according to a political analyst.
Anti-ICE protests are escalating, with protesters even storming a Minnesota church service over a pastor's alleged ICE connections, while activists elsewhere attacked a conservative influencer and blocked the arrest of a suspected child predator. The administration is not amused, noted Rachel Bade, author of The Inner Circle newsletter. And Trump faces a "lose-lose situation" when it comes to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In response, Trump's team has mobilized 1,500 active-duty Army paratroopers on standby for Minnesota deployment, with the FBI recruiting volunteers for the operation. The president has even floated invoking the Insurrection Act to restore order.
But there's a problem, said Bade.
"But on the other hand, some Trump allies are spooked by the drastic turn in public opinion on this subject. Axios reported this weekend that even their own internal polling shows they’re bleeding swing voters and minorities on this issue — two groups that will be pivotal in the midterms and which made up a critical part of Trump’s 2024 coalition," she noted.
Trump faces a notable choice: escalate military presence and risk massive backlash, or stand down and let protests undermine immigration enforcement efforts.
"It’s a no-win situation," she wrote.
Meanwhile, Democrats have done a complete 180 after just a few years ago, Nancy Pelosi scolded Democrats to drop "defund ICE" rhetoric. Now even moderates are going full-throttle against the agency. Newly sworn Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who once privately berated colleagues over progressive policies, is now blocking state police from helping ICE.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) went scorched earth, threatening to revoke ICE agents' driver's licenses if elected California governor.
"I will take your driver’s license! Good luck walking to work, a--holes!” he said.
To boot, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) called ICE a "goon squad" on CNN's "State of the Union."