Former President Donald J. Trump is set to address the issue of ideological screening for immigrants to the United States in a speech in Clive, Iowa. He emphasizes that dangerous individuals such as lunatics, haters, bigots, and maniacs should not be granted residency in the country. Trump outlines specific disqualifications, including empathy with radical Islamic terrorists, support for the abolition of Israel, support for Hamas or its ideology, and belonging to the categories of communism, Marxism, or fascism. This highlights the Republicans’ commitment to prioritizing support for Israel in the presidential nomination race.
Trump also plans to suspend refugee resettlement and reinstate the travel ban, as he previously did during his presidency. He further promises to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to pro-jihadist demonstrations to enforce immigration laws and remove violators from the country. The ongoing pro-Palestinian protests across the nation in response to the conflict in the Middle East serve as a reminder that immigration security is national security.
During a speech in Adel, Iowa, Trump discusses a new gag order imposed by Judge Tanya Chutkan in the federal case concerning alleged illegal interference in the 2020 presidential election. Trump expresses his disbelief at being unable to criticize people and calls the gag order unconstitutional. While he digresses to touch upon the Twitter files and the movie “2,000 Mules,” he reiterates his intention to appeal the order. The discussion does not include the lawsuit he filed in the United Kingdom against Christopher Steele, the originator of the Steele dossier.
Trump’s endorsement from Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is announced by Ms. Bird herself before he takes the stage. She mentions that Trump supports agriculture, a crucial industry in the rural, Midwestern state. The Biden administration’s unfavorable stance toward farmers is also highlighted.
The speech in Adel also sees Trump commenting on the Iraq War, asserting that the United States’ intervention created a power vacuum that Iran swiftly filled. He argues that having two powers in balance provided a natural check on each other, and the removal of one power disturbed this equilibrium.