Mornings on the Mall
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Hosts: Vince Coglianese and Mary Walter
Executive Producer: Heather Hunter
Andrew McCarthy, Manda Zand Ervin, Rep. Mo Brooks, CBP’s Robert Perez joined WMAL on Thursday!
5am – A/B/C TRUMP’S IRAN SPEECH:
- President Trump addressed the nation Wednesday saying Iran appears to be standing down after a revenge strike on two U.S. bases in Iraq after a U.S. drone killed an Iranian general. He said additional sanctions will be imposed and that the U.S. won’t retaliate militarily. Mr. Trump later tweeted the missiles used by Iran were paid for by “funds made available by the last administration,” a reference to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, from which the U.S, withdrew in 2018.
- Trump says Iran ‘appears to be standing down,’ missile strikes resulted in no casualties. President Trump declared Wednesday that Iran “appears to be standing down,” in the wake of missile strikes on American bases in Iraq that he said resulted in “no casualties.” “The American people should be extremely grateful and happy,” Trump said, in an address to the nation from the White House the morning after the attacks. “No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime.” While the attacks marked the latest escalation with Tehran in the precarious aftermath of a U.S. drone strike that killed the top Iranian general, they appeared to open the door to reducing tensions after it became clear that no American forces were killed. Trump indicated Wednesday that he indeed considers the nature of the strikes as a sign that Tehran has taken an off-ramp. “Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned,” he said.He added: “No American or Iraqi lives were lost.”
- TRUMP TAKES AIM AT OBAMA IN HIS SPEECH: Trump *directly blames* Obama & Kerry for the Iranian missile attacks on US bases: “The missiles fired last night at us and our allies were paid for with the funds made available by the last administration.” Obama gave the Iranian Terrorist regime $150 billion Taxpayer dollars
5am – D IMPEACHMENT NEWS:
- ‘She Should Send Them Over’: Senate Democrats Want Pelosi To End Stalemate Over Impeachment Articles. A growing number of Senate Democrats are breaking with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over her handling of articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Seven Democrats — Sens. Dianne Feinstein, Doug Jones, Chris Murphy, Joe Manchin, Richard Blumenthal, Jon Tester, and Chris Coons — told various news outlets Wednesday that they are ready for Pelosi to transmit the articles so that the Senate can move forward with Trump’s trial.
- Feinstein, Manchin join Democrats pressuring Pelosi to send impeachment articles to Senate. “The longer it goes on the less urgent it becomes,” Feinstein told Politico about Pelosi’s withholding of the articles approved last month, charging Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. “So if it’s serious and urgent, send them over. If it isn’t, don’t send it over.” Manchin agreed with Feinstein that the House “should move on” and deliver the articles to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
5am – E WAR POWERS VOTE:
- Pelosi announces House to vote Thursday on limiting Trump’s war powers on Iran. WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced Wednesday that the House will vote Thursday on a war powers resolution to limit the Trump administration’s military actions against Iran. The announcement comes less than a day after Iran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two Iraqi air bases housing U.S. forces in response to the U.S. airstrike that killed top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani last week. Iran’s retaliation had created some uncertainty among House Democrats earlier Wednesday about the path forward on the resolution. “Last week, the Trump administration conducted a provocative and disproportionate military airstrike targeting high-level Iranian military officials,” Pelosi said in a statement Wednesday. “The administration took this action without consulting Congress,” she added. “This action endangered our service members, diplomats and others by risking a serious escalation of tensions with Iran. Since then, the president has made clear that he does not have a coherent strategy to keep the American people safe, achieve deescalation with Iran and ensure stability in the region.”
- CLOSED DOOR BRIEFING SPARKS OUTRAGE: The Trump administration held closed door briefings with members of both the House and Senate on the Iranian attack on two US bases in Iraq. Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer says officials walked out of the briefing when questions became tough, a point echoed by Republican Senator Mike Lee who said the administration was ill-served by the briefing. House Republican Steve Scalise, however, said the president has “a clear plan” to protect Americans.
6am – A New York Times’ Paul Krugman Says Somebody Else Is Using His IP Address To Download Child Porn. (Daily Caller) — New York Times columnist Paul Krugman said someone he does not know is breaking into his computer and illegally downloading child pornography. “Someone compromised my IP address and is using it to download child pornography,” Krugman told his Twitter followers Wednesday. “I might just be a random target. But this could be an attempt to Qanon me.” He added: “It’s an ugly world out there.” Past reports documented instances of people using another person’s Internet Protocol (IP) address to illegally download pornography. Investigators arrested one man in New York whom they determined downloaded child porn, according to one 2011 report by Syracuse.com. Investigators eventually discovered the man’s neighbor was downloading pornography through open wireless signal.
- UPDATED TWEET: Paul Krugman @paulkrugman: Deleted original tweet. Times thinks it may have been a scam. Anyway, will have more security in future
6am – B/C Iran plane crash: Tehran won’t give Boeing or US black boxes. (BBC) – Iran has said it will not hand over black box flight recorders recovered from a plane that crashed with 176 people on board to manufacturer Boeing or to the US. The Ukrainian Boeing 737-800 went down just minutes after taking off from Tehran’s airport, leaving no survivors. Under global aviation rules, Iran has the right to lead the investigation. But manufacturers are typically involved and experts say few countries are capable of analysing black boxes. The crash came at a time of high tensions between Iran and the US and just hours after Iran carried out missile strikes on two air bases housing US forces in Iraq. There is no evidence that the two events are linked. Normally, the US National Transportation Safety Board would have a role to play in any international investigations involving US-made Boeings. But the board must act with permission and in accordance with legislation of the foreign country concerned. In comments published by Iran’s conservative Mehr news agency, the head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation (CAO), Ali Abedzadeh, said: “We will not give the black box to the manufacturer and the Americans.”
6am – D/E LEAVE IT TO AN AMERICAN DUCHESS TO RUIN THE ROYAL FAMILY:
- Buckingham Palace blindsided by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle resignation. (PageSix) — Could this be a falling out of royal proportions? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were quitting the royal family before notifying Buckingham Palace and caught other royals by surprise, a palace source told Page Six on Wednesday. Buckingham Palace released a terse statement in the wake of the unprecedented news they were stepping down as “senior” royals, the palace calling things “complicated” and seemingly confirming they were blindsided. “Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage,” the statement read. “We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”
- Queen’s fury as Harry and Meghan quit: Her Majesty learned of their decision from the TV. (Daily Mail) – ‘It’s a masterclass in wanting to have your cake and eat it’: Furious Buckingham Palace aides turn on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after they stun the Queen by ‘pressing the nuclear button’ and quitting the Royal Family. Harry and Meghan have today been blasted by aides who claim the royal family ‘bent over backwards for them’ since they got together in 2016 only for the rebel couple to quit anyway without consulting the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William. Their dramatic decision was taken without the knowledge of their family, who learnt about the announcement as it broke on television news channels last night. The couple, who plan to split their time between Britain and North America, ‘pressed the nuclear button’ and made the bombshell announcement just days after returning from a six-week break in Canada. One exasperated aide said: ‘People had bent over backwards for them. They were given the wedding they wanted, the house they wanted, the office they wanted, the money they wanted, the staff they wanted, the tours they wanted and had the backing of their family. What more did they want?’ Another royal source said: ‘It’s deeply unfair to the Queen who doesn’t deserve to be treated this way. It is a shoddy way to treat her. The family understands that they want to do something different and is perfectly willing to help them. People are just devastated.‘ A senior royal source said the Queen and her family were ‘deeply disappointed’. Another said the royals were ‘shocked, saddened and downright furious’ at the couple.
- Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ‘to make millions’ after quitting royal family. US public relations guru Ronn Torossian said the royal couple could get “any endorsement deals in the world they may want” after stepping back from the royal family. “Many will see this as Harry abandoning the family, with increased irritation by taxpayers with royal spending and, of course, Prince Andrew’s ongoing scandal. “The Royal Family is scarred right now, but not out for the count. Their legacy is much larger than just Meghan and Harry. “That said, I think Meghan Markle will remain a huge superstar.
- Andy Cohen Invites Meghan Markle to Join RHOBH Following Her Announcement to Step Back as Senior Royal. (People.com) – Andy Cohen wants to see Meghan Markle get her diamond. The Watch What Happens Live host, 51, sent an open invitation to Meghan Markle to join Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on Wednesday after the Duchess of Sussex and her husband Prince Harry announced their decision to “step back as senior members of the Royal Family.” Commenting on the announcement posted on the royal couple’s official Instagram account, Cohen — who acts as an executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise — wrote, “Open invite for The Duchess to join #RHOBH !!!” Bravo also appeared to be open to the idea. Under the Comments by Celebs’ post about Cohen’s exchange, the network’s Instagram account commented, “Meghan Markle tagline suggestion: Beverly Hills is full of diamonds, but I’m the crown jewel.”
- Meghan’s estranged father Thomas Markle is ‘disappointed’ his daughter and Harry are quitting the Royal Family. (Daily Mail) – Meghan’s father Thomas Markle says he’s ‘disappointed’ after his daughter and Prince Harry revealed that they were stepping back as senior members of Britain’s royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made the bombshell announcement on Wednesday and said they planned to now split their time between the United Kingdom and North America. Meghan’s estranged father spoke out just hours later, telling Us Weekly: ‘I’ll just simply say I’m disappointed.’ Markle, a 74-year-old retiring lighting director, did not elaborate on the cause of his disappointment.
- Canada-Bound? Where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle May End Up if They Move to North America. The Duke and Duchess announced they are making plans to split their time between the U.K. and North America — but where exactly is still in question
6am – F Illegal immigrants rescued at border wall in California after ‘precarious situation’ (Fox News) Three people were rescued over the weekend after they were found trapped in “a precarious situation” on a new section of border wall near San Diego, according to officials. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release said that around midnight Sunday, agents on patrol saw three people perched on top of the wall near Otay Mesa. The three, a man and two women, attempted to enter the U.S. illegally in dense fog by climbing the San Diego Sector’s new 30-foot, steel bollard wall before getting stuck, according to officials. “These three were very fortunate to not have fallen from the top of the wall, which could have resulted in serious injury or death,” CBP San Diego Sector’s Acting Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke said in a statement. “These dangers are not important considerations to smugglers, who place an emphasis on profits over safety.” The trio ended up on the wet, slippery wall after smugglers abandoned them, which officials said left them in “a precarious situation.” Agents called in firefighters with San Diego Fire Department to get the group down safely using a ladder truck. Once on the ground, agents questioned the group and found all three were Mexican citizens illegally trying to cross into the United States, Border Patrol said. A 36-year-old male, a 20-year-old female, and an 18-year-old female were transported to a nearby Border Patrol station for processing. Officials did not say how they got on top of the wall.
7am – A INTERVIEW – Andrew McCarthy is a contributing editor of National Review and author of “Ball of Collusion”
- House to vote on War Powers resolution limiting Trump’s actions as US, Iran back away from military conflict. (Fox News) – Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced plans for the House to vote Thursday on a War Powers Resolution that aims to limit President Trump’s military action toward Iran, saying Democrats have “serious, urgent concerns about the administration’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran and about its lack of strategy moving forward.” The Democrat-authored resolution would reassert congressional authority and rebuke Trump’s decision last week to take out Iran’s top general, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in an airstrike without their consent. Republican leadership aides argued to Fox News that the proposed War Powers Resolution is “toothless,” saying it has “NO chance of becoming law.” The expected vote comes after Trump declared Wednesday that Iran appeared to be “standing down” in the wake of missile strikes on American bases in Iraq that he said resulted in “no casualties.”
- Andrew McCarthy: War Powers Resolution vote against Trump is pointless – He has right to strike bad guys. (By Andrew McCarthy | Fox News) By this time in our history, one supposes, there could not be a presidentially-ordered use of military force without the inevitable opposition party blather about how the commander-in-chief is violating the War Powers Act (WPA). And so it is that Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va., has introduced a resolution that would purport to direct President Trump to cease hostilities with Iran in the absence of a congressional authorization. Though inevitable, the exercise is pointless. The WPA (often called the War Powers Resolution) was enacted over a weakened President Richard Nixon’s veto in 1973 by the Democrat-dominated Congress of the late Vietnam War era. It was an effort to limit the president’s power to commit American forces to battle without a declaration of war or other congressional authorization. From the time of its passage until the Obama administration, all presidents regarded it as an unconstitutional infringement on the president’s Article II powers. Nonetheless, presidents have tended to pay lip-service to the WPA: claiming to act “consistently” with its provisions, but maintaining that they were doing so out of inter-branch comity, not legal compulsion. And when push came to shove, even President Obama dodged the WPA – taking the absurd position that his unauthorized, unprovoked attacks on Libya were too piddling to be considered a “war” or a use of military force. The WPA purports to bar the president from ordering our armed forces into battle unless there has been a congressional declaration of war, a specific statutory authorization of the use of military force, or an actual attack on the United States or its forces. It calls for the president to consult with Congress before ordering our forces into hostilities, and to report to Congress within 48 hours of so ordering them. If Congress does not authorize military action within 60 days, the WPA says the president must withdraw our forces. The WPA is probably unconstitutional.
7am – B/C Jussie Smollett investigation: Judge orders Google to turn over a full year of the actor’s data as part of special prosecutor probe. (Chicago Tribune) – A Cook County judge has ordered Google to turn over Jussie Smollett’s emails, photos, location data and private messages for an entire year as part of the special prosecutor’s investigation into the purported attack on the actor. Two sweeping search warrants, obtained by the Chicago Tribune, provide the first public glimpse at the direction of the probe by special prosecutor Dan Webb more than four months into the investigation. The warrants, filed last month in Circuit Court, sought a trove of documentation from Smollett and his manager’s Google accounts — not just emails but also drafted and deleted messages; any files in their Google Drive cloud storage services; any Google Voice texts, calls and contacts; search and web browsing history; and location data. Investigators sought a full year’s data — from November 2018 to November 2019 — even though the key events in the controversy took place between late January and late March 2019. Authorities could be looking for any incriminating remarks from Smollett or his manager, especially in the months after State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office abruptly dismissed disorderly conduct charges against the then-“Empire” actor just weeks after his indictment. Smollett, who is African American and openly gay, has declared the dismissal a vindication of his claims that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack. The mysterious reversal by Foxx’s office — coming after Foxx herself stepped aside from overseeing the prosecution — sparked a public outcry that ultimately led Judge Michael Toomin to appoint Webb as special prosecutor in late August.
7am – D INTERVIEW – MANDA ZAND ERVIN – one of the top Iranian human rights activists, President of the Alliance of Iranian Women and author of upcoming book “The Ladies’ Secret Society” — discussed the tensions between the US and Iran. She analyzed what’s going on in Iran’s economy, the growing revolution against the leadership in Iran and discuss how when the Ayatollah overthrew the Shah, women lost their freedoms and the country became radical.
- ABOUT HER BOOK: Upcoming book “The Ladies’ Secret Society”: The Islamic Revolution of 1979 was an unmitigated disaster for the women of Iran. That fact is well known. What is less well-known and what Manda Zand Ervin brings to light in her remarkable book, is the long history of struggle against clerical domination in which the women of Iran have been engaged for centuries. Rooted in the proud history of ancient Persia where once Mother-Gods were worshipped, the Ladies’ Secret Society, founded in the early decades of the 20th Century, was at once the inheritor of this proud history and the progenitor of the women of today who are enduring 25-year prison sentences for the defiant, yet innocent, act of removing their hijabs in public. Ervin tells the stories and records the accomplishments of generations of individual women activists who have risked everything to educate their daughters even when held in thrall to the harem system of the Qajar era. These women refused to be victims. They fought like lionesses for every scrap of freedom gained from the time of the Arab conquest to the era of the Shah, only to see all their hard-won rights destroyed with the coming of Khomeini s Islamic Revolution. Yet, despite the extreme cruelty of the clergy and the imminent danger they face, the women of Iran are undeterred. Ervin pays loving tribute to them all as she relates the stories of their remarkable achievements in the face of overwhelming oppression. https://www.amazon.com/Ladies-Secret-Society-Manda-Ervin/dp/1943003335
7am – E Cardi B says she’s planning to file for citizenship in Nigeria after taking a dig at President Donald Trump for his part in the increasing tensions between the U.S. and Iran. (Fox News) – The 27-year-old “Money” singer took to Twitter shortly after Trump ordered an airstrike that killed Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani. The killing sparked several memes and concerns on Twitter of a conflict between the two nations, and Cardi weighed in. “Naaaaa these memes are f—in [emojis] but s— ain’t no joke ! Specially being from New York,” she wrote. The star went on to directly criticize Trump for his part in making the U.S. a potential target for Iran following the death of Soleimani. “Its sad this man is putting Americans live in danger. Dumbest move Trump did till date …I’m filing for my Nigerian citizenship,” she concluded. Although it’s hard to tell if the singer is serious about fleeing the U.S. for fear of an attack by Iran, a Nigerian government official responded to the tweet, noting that she is welcome in the country. “As one in charge of the Diaspora for Ngr, We can’t wait to receive you again. Our doors are open, sister,” wrote Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chair of the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission and a former member of the Nigeria Federal House of Representatives. “And you need to talk a walk through the Door of Return in Badagry. It’s an indescribable experience.” The artist’s criticism of Trump comes amid her continued support of 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. In addition to having a face-to-face interview with Sanders about issues like wages, she’s tweeted her support for the 78-year-old in the past.
8am – A INTERVIEW – CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS — (R- Alabama’s 5th congressional district) and member of the House Armed Services Committee – discussed the impeachment push and the war powers resolution vote today
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says a war powers resolution will be voted on Thursday that limits President Trump’s military actions after concerns were raised about not advising Congress about the U.S. attack that killed Iran general Qassem Soleimani.
- Pressure building on Pelosi over articles of impeachment. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Wednesday refused to budge on sending the articles of impeachment against President Trump to the Senate, prolonging a standoff with Republicans. Pelosi is holding on to the articles despite some impatience from Democrats in the Senate, who say they are ready to begin a trial. It’s unclear how much longer Pelosi will hold off, and what she hopes to accomplish through further delay, but some Republicans said they expect her to send them as soon as Thursday.
8am – B/C VIRGINIA GUNS NEWS:
- Governor Northam Delivers State of the Commonwealth to Democratic Legislature. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam gave the annual State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night. He spoke of both fiscal responsibility and progressive goals. His to do list had plenty to please progressives too. He’s throwing his weight behind legislative proposals to roll back restrictions on abortion, decriminalize marijuana, and provide – for some – free community college. The Governor ended the night with gun control. Citing the shooting in Virginia Beach last summer, Northam said now is the time to pass legislation that he says would keep firearms away from dangerous people. “Virginians have had enough of the vigils and the funerals. Enough of the mourning. They made that clear at the ballot box,” he said.
- VA State Senator Mark Obenshain @MarkObenshain 10h10 hours ago OK, it’s on from crim justice reform and seamlessly onto “gun safety.” @GovernorVA says you didn’t pass my gun bills last year, so now his allies are proposing legislation to make a felons out of thousands of law abiding Virginians for simply owning lawfully purchased firearms.
- 2A RALLIES PLANNED FOR MLK DAY: (WUSA9) – Gun rights activists planning an armed rally as VA Democrats introduce gun control bills. Virginia Democrats’ plans to enact a sweeping series of gun measures have already created a rebellion in dozens of counties. Now armed gun rights supporters — including some from the far right — are planning to sweep into Richmond on Martin Luther King Day.
- UPDATE ON THAT PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY 2A MEETING ON TUESDAY:
- We had spoken to Jeanine Lawson – Supervisor, Brentsville District on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors on Tuesday. https://omny.fm/shows/mornings-on-the-mall/wmal-interview-jeanine-lawson-01-07-20
- After hearing from about 115 people for more than four hours, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to postpone a decision to support gun safety legislation and increased mental health funding for screening and services.
- After 4 hours of heated testimony, the new Prince William Board of Supervisors tables until Jan. 21 a vote on a gun safety resolution. The Democratic chairman called the unanimous vote to delay an opportunity to find concensus.
- Virginia Wants To Close Non-Govt Gun Ranges And Create Ammo-Free Zones. (ZeroHedge):
- HB567 wants to ensure gun ranges are government-owned. Here’s the text of the summary: As used in this section, “indoor shooting range” means any fully enclosed or indoor area or facility designed for the use of rifles, shotguns, pistols, silhouettes, skeet, trap , or black powder or any other similar sport shooting. B. It is unlawful to operate an indoor shooting range in any building not owned or leased by the Commonwealth or the federal government unless (i) fewer than 50 employees work in the building or (ii) (a) at least 90 percent of the users of the indoor shooting range are law-enforcement officers, as defined in § 9.1-101, or federal law-enforcement officers, (b) the indoor shooting range maintains a log of each user’s name, phone number, address, and the law-enforcement agency where such user is employed, and (c) the indoor shooting range verifies each user’s identity and address by requiring all users to present a government-issued photo-identification card.
- HB318 would create ammunition-free zones. Here’s the text of the bill, again, emphasis mine. A. If any person knowingly possesses any (i) stun weapon as defined in this section; (ii) knife, except a pocket knife having a folding metal blade of less than three inches; or (iii) weapon, including a weapon of like kind, designated in subsection A of § 18.2-308, other than a firearm; or (iv) ammunition for a firearm, as defined in § 18.2-308.2, upon (a) the property of any public, private, or religious elementary, middle, or high school, including buildings and grounds; (b) that portion of any property open to the public and then exclusively used for school-sponsored functions or extracurricular activities while such functions or activities are taking place; or (c) any school bus owned or operated by any such school, he is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. B. If any person knowingly possesses any firearm designed or intended to expel a projectile by action of an explosion of a combustible material while such person is upon (i) any public, private or religious elementary, middle or high school, including buildings and grounds; (ii) that portion of any property open to the public and then exclusively used for school-sponsored functions or extracurricular activities while such functions or activities are taking place; or (iii) any school bus owned or operated by any such school, he is guilty of a Class 6 felony. (source)
- VA Democrat Introduces Bill Making ‘High Capacity’ Mag Possession a Felony. (Breitbart News) – A bill put forward by Delegate Mark Levine (D) would make it a felony for law-abiding citizens to possess a magazine holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Moreover, Levine’s legislation, HB 961, even makes it a felony to possess 10-round magazines, if such magazines have a “removable plate” on the bottom that would allow capacity expansion.Levine’s bill provides four options for Virginians who currently possess magazines that hold more than 10 rounds: 1. They can render the magazine “inoperable.” 2. They can “remove” the magazine from Virginia. 3. They can “transfer” the magazine to a person who meets the legal criteria to own one in another state. 4. Surrender the magazine to the state. evine’s bill comes even as 118 local governments in Virginia have declared themselves Second Amendment Sanctuaries, vowing not to enforce unconstitutional gun controls. The Second Amendment Sanctuaries consist of at least 86 counties, plus cities and municipalities around the state.
8am – D INTERVIEW – ROBERT PEREZ – Deputy Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – discussed December’s border numbers.
- December enforcement actions down for seventh straight month. Policies and initiatives lead to continued decline in enforcement actions while CBP continues to seize more dangerous, deadly drugs. WASHINGTON — CBP enforcement actions on our Southwest Border decreased by 5% in December compared to November, representing a 72% decrease since the peak of the humanitarian and border security crisis in May. On the Southwest Border, CBP conducted 40,620 total enforcement actions in December 2019, including 32,858 apprehensions and 7,762 inadmissibility decisions. This includes a 15% decline in inadmissible aliens at ports of entry and a 2% decline in USBP apprehensions. Enforcement actions involving family units totaled 12,064. Unaccompanied alien children totaled 3,311; and single adults were 24,788, down 4% from November. “This seven month decline is a direct result of President Trump’s network of policy initiatives and our ability to effectively enforce the law, enhance our border security posture and properly care for those in custody,” said CBP Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan. The results of these enforcement actions show a decrease across all key demographics (such as unaccompanied children), although single adults represent the smallest decrease. CBP Southwest Border Enforcement Actions fiscal year to date are 33% lower than last fiscal year. In December, CBP intercepted more than 93,000 pounds of drugs nationwide – a 5% increase over November. Compared to this point in the previous fiscal year, overall drug seizures are up 28%, while fentanyl seizures are up over 80% and heroin seizures are up 27%. “The cross-border smuggling of illegal drugs continues to threaten communities throughout our nation,” said CBP Deputy Commissioner Robert Perez. “The volume of drugs seized is a sober reminder that we are in the midst of a national security crisis on the Southwest border.”
