On Friday, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said Democrats were “stricken by reality” on immigration and said “Democrats may have been a little slow in getting to grips with this issue.” . Some people from this area weren’t hit as hard early on. I think we all know where we need to be right now. ” and acknowledged that the immigrant buses were effective because they “gained the attention of the governor of Connecticut.”
co-host Andrew Ross Sorkin asked Lamont when he appeared on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” This is terrible, being used as a chess piece…or do you think this is working? I mean, I would argue that, but by the way, both ideas could be in your head at the same time. ”
Lamont replied: “Hey, look, A. This is a political ploy. B. It got the attention of the governor of Connecticut. So you can put them both on the map. But what I can tell you is that governors on both sides think this is very They have to reach this bipartisan compromise. Don’t say we’re going to delay it for a year because of politics. It’s hurting states like Connecticut. It is reaching.”
Later on Bloomberg’s “Surveillance,” Lamont said there was “some overflow” of immigrants from New York and that the state was prepared to deal with them, but “we need more help from the federal government.” . I think that’s especially true here in New York City. But we also have to secure our borders. We have to tighten our borders. You have to do both. ”
Co-host Lisa Abramovitz then said, “We’ve been hearing from this administration about what it can do on its own. President Biden has talked about the possibility of closing the border. If he does that. What do you expect?”
Lamont replied: Look, I’m calling Republican bluffs. They’re saying, President Biden, you’re not going to close the border. Give me the tools to do it and I’ll do it. I don’t understand why they would back off now and say it’s not that urgent, let’s wait until after the next election. I think that’s the wrong move. Let’s make a deal. ”
Co-host Jonathan Ferro then asked: “It’s amazing that Democrats are starting to say things like Republicans on this issue. You and I have talked about this before. You see, we’ve had this problem all along at our southern border, and yet we’re here, and we need to confront this problem now. Blue states, New York, Connecticut; Why has this suddenly become a problem that needs to be solved in other regions? Why wasn’t this a problem that needs to be solved before? And why now we have been taken over by reality? Is that so?”
Lamont replied: “Well, reality hit me. …I’ll pull back the lens for just one second. We have the most successful economy on the planet. People know it. That’s why, now more than ever, A lot of people want to come to this country. But you’re right, it only works if you secure the border. Maybe the Democrats have been a little slow to address this issue. Some people from the area weren’t hit as hard early on. I think we all know where we have to be right now. That’s why the Republicans are making this last minute move. It’s very important that we don’t back off. The ball is at the 5-yard line…let’s get it in the end zone…and see if we can do that, and then we’ll hold the president accountable.”
Mr. Ferro then asked, “How confused do you think the president is on this issue, and how far apart do you think there is between him and you?”
Lamont said, “I don’t think there’s any distance right now. He’s coming on strong. He said, ‘Give me the tools and I’ll close the border to illegal immigrants.’ He was very clear about that. Maybe you wish he had said that sooner. He’s saying it now. If it can give him the tools to get the job done, the ball is in Congress. ”
Co-host Anne-Marie Hordern then asked, “But Governor, weren’t you clear on your first day?” On his first day, he suspended nearly all deportations. People say this was a signal to many countries that it would be easier to enter the United States now than it was under former President Trump? Was that a mistake? ”
Lamont said, “People have been trying to come across the border for years. Under the Trump administration — remember, during the midterm elections, he’s been there for two years, terrorists coming through the border. I mean, it wasn’t all peaches and cream six years ago, but things have changed since then. I think we’re seriously thinking about it now. Strong bipartisanship. I think we need help. Our Sen. Chris Murphy (D) is helping lead those negotiations. Hopefully by the end of this week, we’ll get it done.”
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