Bill Maher, the host of “Real Time,” has sharply criticized President Biden’s decision to resume border wall construction, describing it as a “disaster” for the Democratic Party. Maher raised concerns about the policy reversal during a panel discussion on his show.
The Biden administration’s decision to waive 26 federal laws, including environmental regulations, to allow new border wall construction in the Starr County area of the Rio Grande Valley Sector has garnered significant attention. This decision goes against one of President Biden’s major campaign promises of not adding any more border wall, a promise made in contrast to former President Donald Trump’s strong support for such structures.
Maher expressed concern about the impact of this policy shift on the Democratic Party, particularly in terms of public perception. He noted that Trump had criticized Biden for adopting his policies, which could have a negative effect on the Democrats’ image.
Additionally, Maher criticized some Democrats, particularly those in New York, for their response to the migrant crisis. He accused them of being “sanctuary city hypocrites” and highlighted quotes from New York Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul, who expressed concerns about the issue.
Maher’s concerns resonated with ABC News contributor Sarah Isgur, who emphasized that Texas, which has been dealing with a significant influx of migrants, deserves an apology from Democrats. She pointed out that there were approximately 2 million border crossings in 2022, with New York City receiving a fraction of that number, estimated at around 110,000 migrants.
Matt Welch, editor-at-large for Reason Magazine, criticized New York City Mayor Eric Adams for claiming that the city is “full” and discussed the challenges in providing resources for migrants. He argued that the U.S. has dealt with larger numbers of migrants in the past and suggested the need for a more compassionate and intelligent approach to the issue.
Maher concluded the discussion by lamenting the lack of middle-ground solutions in American politics and criticized extreme rhetoric, including Trump’s recent comments comparing migrants to “poisoning the blood of our country,” which Maher likened to Hitler’s rhetoric.
The debate over immigration and border policies continues to be a contentious issue in American politics, with various perspectives and challenges in finding a balanced approach.