Staff Reports
John Avlon, the former CNN pundit, has decided to swap his partisan rhetoric for a political campaign, announcing his run as the Democratic nominee for New York’s 1st Congressional District. This is certainly a race that deserves attention, mostly because it highlights the baffling oblivion that some in the left seem to operate within when it comes to the ongoing border crisis. Avlon insists that the nation does not have open borders, which is somewhat of a laughable claim, especially for those who have been watching the mayhem unfold at the southern border for the last couple of years.
When pressed on immigration reform at a recent event, he attempted to pacify concerned attendees with a mix of vague platitudes and deflections. His assertion about strengthening borders and reforming asylum laws certainly sounds good on paper. However, in reality, it rings hollow to anyone who has bothered to look at the actual situation: the border is more porous than a cheese grater, and ignoring it does not make that reality disappear.
Elitist @JohnAvlon is showing Long Islanders just how out of touch he really is and denying the border crisis even exists. #NY01 https://t.co/UZB7l90YNQ
— Courtney Parella (@CourtneyParella) September 16, 2024
Avlon’s denial continued as he emphatically stated that “we don’t have open borders,” essentially playing the audio equivalent of a politician sticking his fingers in his ears and chanting “la-la-la” in hopes of drowning out the facts. He touted the need for “comprehensive” solutions, yet that same phrase has been the crutch of many politicians who have kicked the can down the road rather than tackle issues head-on. The true irony here is that while he waxes poetic about reform, the actions of his party have contributed extensively to the dysfunction he pretends to want to remedy.
Under the current Biden administration, the border situation has spiraled, with record-high encounters of illegal immigration becoming the new normal. First Day Joe wasted no time in dismantling the hard-fought progress of the Trump administration, making the situation worse with a slew of executive orders. Even Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, a Democrat, has openly admitted that the border is “too open right now,” creating chaos that has echoed deep into New York City, which she termed a “real problem.” Yet, Avlon is somehow convinced that the border crisis is only a figment of the right’s imagination.
The National Republican Congressional Committee couldn’t pass up the opportunity to jab back at Avlon, suggesting that the Manhattan elite wouldn’t recognize reality if it smacked him in the face. Their critique highlighted how out-of-touch he appears to everyday New Yorkers who are suffering the effects of the very policies he advocates. In a race that leans Republican, and with Republican Rep. Nick LaLota gearing up for reelection, it seems Avlon might find that turning a blind eye to a major issue like border security could cost him dearly at the ballot box.
