A former Obama administration official delivered a surprising endorsement of President Donald Trump’s border policies on Monday, hailing the dramatic drop in illegal crossings as proof of Trump’s “additional deterrence.” John Sandweg, acting director of ICE under Obama from 2013–2014, told Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom” that Trump’s early actions—reviving Title 42, deploying troops, and ending Biden’s catch-and-release—sent a clear message: “There’s no more crossing the border.” For conservatives, this is a vindication of Trump’s America First agenda, proving even a former Obama loyalist can’t deny the results.
Sandweg’s remarks, aired on Fox, came amid data showing illegal border crossings plummeting to under 300 daily—down over 90% from February 2024, per Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks’ CBS interview. Sandweg credited Trump’s executive orders, signed in January, for creating “a significant deterrent effect” by restoring policies like Title 42, which expelled migrants swiftly during the COVID era.
“President Trump created additional deterrence by sending a very clear message that there’s no more crossing the border,” Sandweg said. “His policies, combined with the physical barriers and troop deployments, have changed the calculus for migrants.”
He contrasted this with Biden’s tenure, where 8.5 million illegal crossings overwhelmed Border Patrol, per CBP data, straining cities and draining resources. Trump’s DHS Secretary Kristi Noem echoed this on Friday’s “Hannity,” vowing to fill Gitmo with deported criminals.
“We have hundreds of thousands of criminals that were let illegally into this country,” Noem said. “That means they have criminal records. They’ve perpetuated crimes in this country.”
Posts on X cheered Sandweg’s admission—one user wrote, “Even an Obama guy admits Trump’s border fix works—stunning!” Another added, “No more catch-and-release—Trump’s making America safe again.”
Republicans see this as a triumph. Biden’s open borders let Tren de Aragua gangs and other criminals in, while deficits pushed the national debt past $35 trillion. Trump’s January 20 “emergency price relief” memo, Title 42 revival, and DOGE’s $55 billion cuts signal the fix—secure borders, deport threats, and prioritize Americans. Sandweg’s praise, despite his Obama roots, validates the GOP’s stance, showing results over rhetoric.
The left’s already attacking Sandweg as a “turncoat,” with Senate Democrats and activists crying “cruelty,” per a Monday AP report. Too bad—conservatives see this as proof Trump’s policies work, not harm. Legal challenges loom, with over 70 lawsuits targeting Trump’s moves—like a Tuesday block on Education records—but Republicans aren’t deterred. With Congress pushing reconciliation and FBI Director Kash Patel releasing Epstein files, the GOP’s ready to back Trump’s vision, ensuring America’s borders stay secure, as voters demanded in 2024.
Sandweg’s admission isn’t just about numbers—it’s about leadership. His 2014 ICE tenure, per the Migration Policy Institute, saw deportations drop due to Obama’s priorities, but Trump’s approach reversed that, slashing crossings fast. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ February DOGE task force and USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins’ SNAP crackdown show the state-federal alignment. With DHS troops at the border and Noem’s raids, conservatives are ready to defend Trump’s deterrence, ensuring America’s sovereignty prevails over open-border chaos.
