The latest antics from Vice President Kamala Harris have taken a rather curious turn, as her team has sought advice from a top border sheriff on how to “do better” on immigration policy. Mark J. Dannels, the sheriff of Cochise County in Arizona, recently had the unique experience of shepherding Ms. Harris around his jurisdiction during her first border visit in over three years. One has to wonder what prompted this sudden outreach after years marked by neglect on the border crisis.
Sheriff Dannels made it clear that despite the Biden administration’s horrendous handling of immigration, there might be a glimmer of hope. His optimistic view that the only way left to go is up reflects the broader sentiment among law enforcement. The sheriff is clearly trying to take this opportunity to shift the narrative from chaos to cooperation. It remains to be seen if Ms. Harris’s team is genuinely interested in thoughtful reform or if this is merely a box-checking exercise to alleviate public dissatisfaction.
The sheriff welcomed not just Ms. Harris, but also former President Donald Trump and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to his county. The contrast is stark; during Trump’s time in office, he was fully engaged in border security and took concrete steps like wall construction that actually made a dent in the illegal immigration problem. Sheriff Dannels noted Trump’s expertise in border matters and his willingness to grasp the on-ground realities—a refreshing change from Harris’s apparent learning curve that seems to involve a lot of confusion.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ team has sought advice from a top border sheriff on how to “do better” on immigration policy. #TWTFrontPagehttps://t.co/MzfCsEwHdP
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 14, 2024
The Biden administration’s disastrous approach has not just been a headache for law enforcement but has also marginalized local communities at the border. Dannels expressed the frustration felt by sheriffs nationwide, who believe that the White House has effectively hit the mute button on their cries for help. The sheriff’s attempts to engage Harris have led to a back-and-forth that might just be signaling that she knows her current strategy isn’t cutting it. If Harris truly wants to earn respect and improve collaboration, she might need to start listening more than she talks.
In a monumental twist, President Biden has recently decided to embrace tougher immigration stances reminiscent of Trump, reviving some of the very policies that had been dismantled earlier. Yet, contradictorily, this sudden shift hasn’t stemmed the tide of illegal immigrants flooding across the border. While Harris is poising herself to push for a failed Senate bill, Trump remains firm in his commitment to real solutions like deportations and reducing illegal presence through enforceable job regulations. It seems that the former president is the one who knows how to tackle the issue while Harris is still fumbling for answers.
Sheriff Dannels’ closing thoughts echo a yearning for substantive engagement with law enforcement, stressing the need for respect and collaboration. The contrasting approaches of the campaigns reveal a larger narrative: whether law enforcement will be treated as allies or merely props for political theater. As the border crisis continues to spiral, the American public will undoubtedly keep a keen eye on whether Harris can turn her newfound attention into actionable policies, or if she will stumble back into the shadows of inaction. With Dannels’ experience alongside both candidates, it’s clear who is playing the long game and who is just trying to make a last-minute save as the situation worsens.