Trump may be trying to make everyone 'crazy' with sanctuary cities threat: Sen. Rick Scott

By Michelle Price and Humeyra Pamuk

 

FILE PHOTO: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rick Scott addresses supporters at his midterm election night party in Naples, Florida, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Joe Skipper

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump may have threatened to transport illegal immigrants to so-called sanctuary cities to "make everybody crazy" and generate media attention, Republican U.S. Senator Rick Scott said on Sunday.

 

Trump said on Friday he was considering sending illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities, prompting U.S. mayors to accept such an offer as the battle over border security rages.

 

Sanctuary cities are local jurisdictions that generally give undocumented immigrants safe harbor by refusing to use their resources to help enforce federal immigration laws that could lead to deportations.

 

Since many such jurisdictions are Democratic strongholds, the proposal was seen by critics of Trump as an attempt by the president to punish Democrats for refusing to support funding for the construction of a wall on the southern U.S. border.

 

It would, however, likely encounter a slew of logistical and legal obstacles, with some legal experts and advocacy groups saying the proposal could violate federal laws, including those barring the use of government funds for political purposes.

 

Speaking to CNN's "State of the Union," Scott said he did not know if transporting immigrants to these jurisdictions was legal or illegal, and he suggested the president could be bluffing: "I mean maybe he's just saying this to make everybody crazy, make everybody talk about it on their shows."

 

Scott, a former Florida governor who was elected to the U.S. Senate in November, has generally kept his distance from Trump and criticized him in the past over immigration policies and other issues.

 

Frustrated by rising numbers of undocumented immigrants arriving at the southern border and a failure to get Congress to fully fund a U.S.-Mexico border wall, Trump has sought to taunt Democrats by dangling the possibility of an influx of illegal immigrants into their communities.

 

Scott acknowledged the president's frustration over a lack of progress on addressing the influx of migrants, but said the administration had to comply with the law.

 

"I'm sure the president is very frustrated because we're not securing our border, the Democrats are stopping this. But we have to comply with every law."

 

Late on Saturday, Trump wrote on Twitter that the United States "has the absolute legal right" to transfer apprehended illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities, without citing evidence. "(T)his includes Gang Members, Drug Dealers, Human Traffickers, and Criminals of all shapes, sizes and kinds," he wrote.

 

On Sunday, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told ABC News' "This Week" that administration staff had initially concluded that transporting immigrants to sanctuary cities may prove too logistically challenging, but that the White House was exploring its options because "the president likes the idea."

 

"We're looking to see if there are options that make it possible and doing a full and thorough and extensive review," Sanders said. Since Democrats have said they would welcome these individuals, "everybody gets a win out of it", she added.

 

(Reporting by Michelle Price; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Daniel Wallis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-04-15

This is somewhat impressive, and this is not an endorsement of RS.

He's been a GOP party man all along, even refusing to deal directly with Obama when he was governor of Florida and needed hurricane relief.  A thoughts and prayers guy, a parrot on the party's shoulder, no backtalk to the NRA etc.  Standing up to the big orange guy, well, looks like someone is growing a pair.  Or maybe this is a hint of the gap between the GOP stalwarts and the Trumpanistas. 

 

Tomorrow's news today (or maybe from later today): DT takes to twitter insulting Rick Scott, "he's weak," disparaging his choice of neckties, etc

 

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

It would, however, likely encounter a slew of logistical and legal obstacles, with some legal experts and advocacy groups saying the proposal could violate federal laws, including those barring the use of government funds for political purposes.

"Legal obstacles" never bother Trump. He is the king of litigation and thrives on abusing the system, any and all systems.

Nice to see Republican Rick Scott stand up to Trump on this. Bit by bit, the veneer of the Republican party is showing cracks. More are sure to develop. Bahhh

Just this to drive everyone crazy hell thats what I thought he did most of the time he sure as hell doesent know how to govern!!   Lol

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

President Donald Trump may have threatened to transport illegal immigrants to so-called sanctuary cities to "make everybody crazy"

 

I think what the new Florida senator meant was to continue to make people "crazy."  It's just part of Trump's political DNA. 

 

The president may have his flaws, but he surely knows how to draw attention and keep "those ratings up."  Just consider the raking leaves in Finland regarding forest fires suggestion or the dangers of windmills remark.  I am sure there's a treasure trove of other material.  You cannot write this stuff up.   

 

After the presidency, he should start his own reality TV show or a sitcom where he plays the president of a banana republic called The Trumps Go Bananas. 

Edited April 14, 20197 yr by helpisgood
bad grammar

9 minutes ago, helpisgood said:

 

 

I think what the new Florida senator meant was to continue to make people "crazy."  It's just part of Trump's political DNA. 

 

The president may have his flaws, but he surely knows how to draw attention and keep "those ratings up."  Just consider the raking leaves in Finland regarding forest fires suggestion or the dangers of windmills remark.  I am sure there's a treasure trove of other material.  You cannot write this stuff up.   

 

After the presidency, he should start his own reality TV show or a sitcom where he plays the president of a banana republic called The Trumps Go Bananas. 

Love it!!

These people who run the sanctuary cities want their cake and eat it too. 

Fair play to dump illegals in their backyard. 

Trump is not described as "the sh1tposter in chief" for nothing.

honk

WE need moe Republicans to stand up to this imbecial and hold him accountable to the constitution and the rule of law. It is within their power to pull him in and control him and ultimately replace him.

30 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

These people who run the sanctuary cities want their cake and eat it too. 

Fair play to dump illegals in their backyard. 

Naa just Donald’s crime family way of negotiating do as I say or I’ll shive you he sure as hell doesent know how to govern couldn’t even do it when he controlled both houses

6 minutes ago, Tug said:

Naa just Donald’s crime family way of negotiating do as I say or I’ll shive you he sure as hell doesent know how to govern couldn’t even do it when he controlled both houses

Doesn't know how to govern? 

Contrary to their doom and gloom forecasts, the economy created more than 2.6 million jobs in 2018.  Both the unemployment rate and initial claims for unemployment benefit are sitting near 50-year lows while year over year wage growth has been at or above 3 percent for eight consecutive months.  When President Trump took office, there were nearly 2 million more people unemployed than there were job openings.  There are now nearly 900,000 more job openings that people unemployed.

According to a recent poll released by CNN, more than 70 percent of Americans believe the economy is in “good shape,” the highest number to say so in over 18 years.

9 minutes ago, Longcut said:

Doesn't know how to govern? 

Contrary to their doom and gloom forecasts, the economy created more than 2.6 million jobs in 2018.  Both the unemployment rate and initial claims for unemployment benefit are sitting near 50-year lows while year over year wage growth has been at or above 3 percent for eight consecutive months.  When President Trump took office, there were nearly 2 million more people unemployed than there were job openings.  There are now nearly 900,000 more job openings that people unemployed.

According to a recent poll released by CNN, more than 70 percent of Americans believe the economy is in “good shape,” the highest number to say so in over 18 years.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckjones/2018/10/30/two-charts-show-trumps-job-gains-are-just-a-continuation-from-obamas-presidency/#1b8881621af3

Edited April 15, 20197 yr by bristolboy

Trump is not described as "the sh1tposter in chief" for nothing.
honk

Yes. He's the greatest internet troll in history.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Awww Bristol boy now your going to spoil longcuts fantasy 

You forget, Obama had the highest number of people on Welfare ever. He also counted part-time jobs and people with two jobs.

Just now, Longcut said:

You forget, Obama had the highest number of people on Welfare ever. He also counted part-time jobs and people with two jobs.

I don't know what would be worse on your part:  not knowing that Obama inherited the worlds worst economic crisis since the Great Depression or forgetting that fact. What would be even worse would be knowing it and pretending like it never happened.

1 minute ago, Longcut said:

You forget, Obama had the highest number of people on Welfare ever. He also counted part-time jobs and people with two jobs.

Obama had a near depression to start with he had the good sense to put a good (team)together and get the economy going again Donald inheareted a growing economy and goosed it with a handout to the rich at our expense now he is busy wrecking health care the dude doesent have the skills for the job but we are stuck for now

Just now, Tug said:

Obama had a near depression to start with he had the good sense to put a good (team)together and get the economy going again Donald inheareted a growing economy and goosed it with a handout to the rich at our expense now he is busy wrecking health care the dude doesent have the skills for the job but we are stuck for now

At your expense. You give yourself too much credit. 

Just now, Longcut said:

At your expense. You give yourself too much credit. 

The fact is that once the Republicans took control of the House in 2010 they actually imposed an austerity budget! Which flew in the face of all economic sense.  Whereas with the economy strong they have actually massively increased the budget deficit to provide stimulus to the economy. But Obama's stimulus in the first part of his term was just enough to make America the first fully developed nation to recover from the Great Recession. Other places, like the EU, followed the Republican path of austerity and it took them years longer to recover.

A post that was in over size font as well as being in violation of fair use policy has been removed as well as a reply. 

 

A troll post has also been removed. 

3 hours ago, helpisgood said:

the dangers of windmills remark

Thanks for reminding me about the Trump cancer scare from wind turbines. I do a lot of business a couple hundred km from home base. Travelling along the highway now with wind turbine farms on both sides, I am totally shaken with the thought of cancer as I wiz by. Oh Donny, thanks for ruining my travels through your elevated enlightenment. You must know more than the scientists themselves.

2 hours ago, Longcut said:

At your expense. You give yourself too much credit. 

I know. What's his problem? Just because Trump has increased the deficit massively in order to give tax cuts to the rich? Ridiculous.

Sanctuary cities are mostly in the Eastern and Western states controlled by the Democratic party. There are a few exceptions.  Democrats oppose everything Trump does even when it is for the good of the country and the people.  They oppose The Wall and seemingly anything that upholds our laws regarding illegal immigration.  So if they want open borders, unfettered entry by immigrants outside of the legal pathways, and support a look-the-other-way regarding illegal entry into the USA and in dealing with those individuals when their illegal status becomes known by the police within those sanctuary cities, then why not send them all to those cities to let the politicians deal with them?  But that won't happen because some of the states where sanctuary cities are located are on the brink of bankruptcy as it is.  

 

Sure Trump poses an empty threat but its funny and would be poetic justice in the least.

 

America faces a huge dilemma regarding immigration.  So do many other nations of the world.   Either suck it up or enforce the laws or pass new ones if required.

 

Trump wants to enforce the laws and protect the borders but he has to deal with the liberal Democrats who seem more inclined to take back control of the government than they are in protecting our country, our way of life, and the sovereignty of the nation.  It is a political football, to say the least.

 

What isn't discussed much is the cost of illegal immigrants to the economy.  Here are some thoughts on that.

 

The Pew Hispanic Center estimated that 6–7 million immigrants came to the United States via illegal entry (the rest (600,000) entering via legal visas allowing a limited stay, but then not leaving when their visa period ended). There are an estimated half million illegal entries into the United States each year.

 

In 2017, FAIR's "The Fiscal Burden of Illegal Immigration on United States Taxpayers" report put the total cost of illegal immigration at $135 billion a year, while claiming undocumented immigrants paid only $19 billion a year in taxes. That leaves a net cost to local, state and federal governments of $116 billion a year.   FAIR estimated that there are roughly 12.5 million undocumented immigrants in the country. That's significantly higher — by more than 1 million people — than most other estimates.

 

At approximately $9,280 cost per immigrant per year to the US economy, if the approximate 500,000 illegal immigrants entering the country every year could be stopped plus the 600,000 annual visa overstays could be prevented, the US could save $10,208,000,000 annually. 

 

That means The Wall and further expansions could be paid for through taxpayer savings alone and added policies and police service could also be funded to better track those in the USA on visas of various sorts.

 

If we had systems in place like those here in Thailand that made it more difficult to disappear within the country, maybe some of the 12.5 million undocumented immigrants could enter the legal process or be sent back to their home country. 

 

I think there should be some special circumstances allowable for illegal immigrants who have lived here peacefully, have a family to support, have not committed certain crimes, and earn a living while legally paying taxes.  We should have an amnesty program or let them continue to live in the country while moving through the immigration process contingent on knowing their whereabouts, not being arrested for certain crimes, and on them staying employed a certain number of months per year, etc.  The moment they seek social benefits, get arrested,  or stop earning their way is when they get a plane ticket home.  Earn the right to stay is what I'm saying.

 

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

"I mean maybe he's just saying this to make everybody crazy, make everybody talk about it on their shows."

Probably, and it's worked, hasn't it?

Brilliant tactic. Trump only has to say something controversial and the Dems/ hate Trump media have a collective melt down.

His base must be lovin' it.

 

Trump has to be a genius to be able to make the opposition keep giving him hours and hours of absolutely free publicity that will be energising his base for the upcoming election.

Seems to me that the opposition are doing everything they can to make sure Trump wins in 2020.

1 minute ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Probably, and it's worked, hasn't it?

Brilliant tactic. Trump only has to say something controversial and the Dems/ hate Trump media have a collective melt down.

His base must be lovin' it.

 

Trump has to be a genius to be able to make the opposition keep giving him hours and hours of absolutely free publicity that will be energising his base for the upcoming election.

Seems to me that the opposition are doing everything they can to make sure Trump wins in 2020.

We saw how Trump's tactics of energizing the base worked in 2018. But the problem for Trump was that the base he energized the most was the opposition. Genius!

Actually the best solution would be to start a Go-Fund-Me page, to buy every released immigrant, tickets to San Francisco, or any other sanctuary cities, and $300.00 spending money if they arrive at the local bus station, in the chosen city. Even let them choose between a few different cities.

 

I would think that there would be millions of Americans that would donate money to get these people to the cities they are wanted in.

 

And probably many more people that would donate their time to coordinate the project, and get things rolling.

 

Good for the migrants, good for the bus companies, and good for the sanctuary cities. Keep rolling them in until they are buried in new welfare recipients, and watch property values evaporate. Won't take long before they stop electing democrats in these cities.

Careful what you wish for.....  Naw!  Scott is right, of course.  This is just another one of Trump's BS one-liners. 

 

It is a tantalizing idea though.  It'll be a big Sanctuary City love fest in LA the first day or two but after say 2 weeks and 100 busses... that chit gunna get old real quick, hommie.  It won't be the white folks, they'll still be at Taco Bell singing La Bamba.  I reckon the existing Mexicans, especially the illegals, aren't going to appreciate all the Central/SA cheap labor influx.  Expect the gangs will get involved and the LAPD won't know who to shoot first.  Might get ugly.

 

Just now, 55Jay said:

Careful what you wish for.....  Naw!  Scott is right, of course.  This is just another one of Trump's BS one-liners. 

 

It is a tantalizing idea though.  It'll be a big Sanctuary City love fest in LA the first day or two but after say 2 weeks and 100 busses... that chit gunna get old real quick, hommie.  It won't be the white folks, they'll still be at Taco Bell singing La Bamba.  I reckon the existing Mexicans, especially the illegals, aren't going to appreciate all the Central/SA cheap labor influx.  Expect the gangs will get involved and the LAPD won't know who to shoot first.  Might get ugly.

 

Are they going to be chained to LA? They'll do what they've always done. Leave and go to where there's work and/or family. Except for those who were going there in the first place. (Thanks for the free ride, Donald!) So not only would the expense be tremendous, it would also be pointless. Hmmm...right up Trump's alley

 

19 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Are they going to be chained to LA? They'll do what they've always done. Leave and go to where there's work and/or family. Except for those who were going there in the first place. (Thanks for the free ride, Donald!) So not only would the expense be tremendous, it would also be pointless. Hmmm...right up Trump's alley

Spot on, Google bot.  Ship all of them to LA and let it be the hub for settlement or onward travel.  The LA Mayor will be relieved when many do leave, then instantly mortified as 10 more fully loaded busses pull in.  Keep 'em rollin'!

 

Wouldn't it be awesome if Donald's troll idea, over a few years of constant operations, resulted in fewer illegal crossings and recidivism, because so many would already be in the US; the labor pool bursting at the seams, everyone making money, living the American Dream. 

 

No need for more walls, tech, expensive BP manpower and retirement pensions or nonsense Reserve/NG deployments to battle an imaginary crisis.  No more BS asylum cases clogging the system.  No more children being tortured, which will reduce BP's work load by, A LOT! 

 

If Murica can just get out of its own way, this could work, and we wouldn't need a border at all. 

 

Your boy Donald would get the credit for the Mother of All Solutions - "Mas" for short. ????  He would be referred to lovingly as Don Donaldo and if he could run for a 3rd term, he would nail it bigly on the HUUUGE Latino vote bloc alone.  He wouldn't even need to campaign.  Believe me.

10 hours ago, Boon Mee said:

These people who run the sanctuary cities want their cake and eat it too. 

Fair play to dump illegals in their backyard. 

Well, coal country seems to thrive on peeps who want jobs in a dying sector... maybe we should send all the outta work auto boys from the D down there... makes as much sense as what you're advocating...