CNNs Van Jones openly endorsed using a Department of Homeland Security shutdown to pressure immigration enforcement, arguing that grounding air travel is preferable to allowing ICE to do its job.
According to Breitbart, the CNN Senior Commentator used his appearance on CNN NewsNight to urge Democrats to hold the line, even as ordinary Americans face mounting travel chaos. Host Abby Phillip noted, This is starting to affect people. Van, you were saying you were in Austin this weekend. Is it time for Democrats to compromise?
Jones rejected any notion of backing down, declaring, No, I think Democrats have to stick to their guns, because, as inconvenient as it is in an airport, its a lot more inconvenient to have ICE agents doing all kinds of terrible stuff, and they should be put back in a box. In other words, he framed the disruption of basic government services as an acceptable price to pay to hamstring immigration enforcement, a position that aligns with the lefts broader hostility toward border security and ICE.
He then recounted his own travel ordeal in Austin during South by Southwest, describing a system buckling under the strain. However, I was in Austin, trying to leave South by Southwest. I had a 6 a.m. flight. I got there at 3 a.m. There were people, literally outside, wrapped around. It was complete unbelievable lines. I had PreCheck and CLEAR. I barely made my flight, Jones said, underscoring how even privileged travelers are feeling the impact.
Jones added that after he boarded, they pulled the plane out, because its time to go, but the planes only half full, and the bags are thereso, we literally had to sit on the tarmac for an hour and then come back to re-balance the plane. Meanwhile, the people who could have made the plane balanced were stuck. It was just the whole thing was so nutty. His comments highlight a growing divide in Washington, where Democrat leaders and their media allies appear willing to sacrifice public convenience and safety to weaken immigration enforcement, even as conservatives call for restoring order at the border and competence in basic government functions.
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