Background

Representative Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), serving as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, consistently advocates for fully funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), emphasizing the need to secure the southern border and avoid government shutdowns.

OK, fine, admirable goals. But as we have seen over the past few months, DHS, especially Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol (BP), has performed very poorly in operations that may be found illegal and certainly fall short of most citizens’ expectations. It’s crucial for Ciscomani to support transparency and accountability in DHS operations, not just funding.

For example, agents wearing masks, displaying no identifying information, or using no body cameras. For operations, stop roving patrols and fear-inducing ‘sweeps.’ Lastly, breaking and entering private residences and businesses without judicially approved warrants. And all this doesn’t even address the use of deadly force in situations where it wasn’t called for.

Correcting all this is a tall order that will require cooperation beyond party ideology and careful planning. It’s time for Ciscomani to support a comprehensive plan that addresses these issues, rather than just advocating for funding without accountability, to restore public trust and confidence.

All Bark, No Bite

It all comes down to what he says, like calling Congress’s partial and full shutdowns ‘reckless’ and ‘irresponsible.’

But what he does is NOT support a discharge petition to separate DHS and ICE funding until operational, management, and legal issues are addressed.

Old Army Lesson

Rep. Ciscomani didn’t have the privilege of serving on active duty in the US Armed Forces. That’s unfortunate because he missed out on learning a very important lesson. A lesson that, right now, in the midst of this DHS funding crisis, could help him.

An old Army Sargent here to explain. You never, ever go bitching and complaining to the Commanding Officer about something without having a well-thought-out solution to the problem at hand.

Here we have Ciscomani whining and moaning about the Democrats’ failure to fund DHS, including ICE and TSA fully. Funding TSA would be a good thing for the traveling citizen, while funding ICE has proven disastrous. But….

So, what’s the plan, Juan

Juan, what’s your plan to ensure DHS operates with full accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility? Your lack of a clear plan leaves constituents feeling uncertain about their safety and trust in leadership.

Then get to work with other Representatives and develop a transparent, comprehensive plan that reassures constituents their rights are respected and security is maintained.

I can only imagine what that hypothetical Commander would have said to you. But this is a family-friendly blog.

So, zip your lip and get to work.

Update As We Go to Press

It’s Monday morning, and the stupid doesn’t stop. The budget stalemate continues, with no action on the Senate side. Now the Executive Branch, in the person of Rep. Ciscomani’s best friend forever, is deploying ICE agents to US airports to ease the travel strain caused by the lack of TSA agents.

What brilliance to have immigration enforcement personnel doing aviation security work. Why? Public sentiment is increasingly souring over all these random chaos events. Rep. Ciscomani and his Republican colleagues like Rep. Crane and Gosar are becoming politically weak, and they are losing the fight.

I’ll update this blog as events dictate. Stay tuned.