2 months ago
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PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Illegal crossings at the southern U.S. border declined significantly in March.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Border Patrol.
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📍 Where & When: Southern U.S. border in March.
💬 Key Quote: “Migrant crossings have slowed to a near halt” as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
⚠️ Impact: A sharp reduction in illegal crossings, reaching a 97 percent decrease compared to March 2022.
IN FULL:
In March, the number of unauthorized crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border fell sharply, marking a significant decrease from previous years. Under the administration of President Donald J. Trump, the U.S. Border Patrol registered encounters with 7,181 migrants attempting to cross into the United States unlawfully. This marks a substantial drop compared to March of the preceding years under former President Joe Biden, where figures were recorded at 137,473 in 2024, 163,672 in 2023, and 211,181 in 2022.
The term “Trump Effect” has been attributed to this drastic reduction, with proponents crediting specific policies aimed at bolstering border security. The Los Angeles Times reported a notable decline in apprehensions along the California-Mexico border. Where once daily arrests numbered over 1,200 during peak migration periods in April, current figures suggest only 30 to 40 such instances per day.
Since taking office this past January, President Trump has deployed members of the U.S. military to the southern border and secured an agreement with Mexico that has seen thousands of Mexican National Guard soldiers dispatched to the Mexican side of the border. The increased military presence from both countries and the surge in federal law enforcement, including agents from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) criminal division, have helped to deter unlawful crossings significantly.
Additionally, Trump’s mass deportation initiative—led by White House border czar Tom Homan—has discouraged many would-be illegal immigrants from attempting to make the dangerous multi-country trek to the United States through Central America. The prospect of immediate deportation from the U.S. back to their country of origin is seen by many as not worth the physical or financial risk of attempting unlawful entry.
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Special elections are being held in two Florida congressional districts that were previously considered safe for Republicans, with increased attention after President Donald J. Trump removed Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) from consideration for U.N. ambassador over concerns the House Republican majority could be in jeopardy.
👥 Who’s Involved: Democratic candidate Josh Weil, Republican state Sen. Randy Fine, Republican Jimmy Patronis, Democrat Gay Valimont, former Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), President Trump, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
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📍 Where & When: Special elections in Florida’s 6th and 1st Congressional Districts, with voting on Tuesday, April 1.
💬 Key Quote: President Trump stated, “We don’t want to take any chances… It’s basic politics.”
⚠️ Impact: These contests are drawing significant attention due to unexpected competitiveness and are seen as a litmus test for GOP strength, potentially affecting legislative support for Trump’s agenda.
IN FULL:
Two critical special elections in Florida are underway as voters head to the polls on Tuesday. The two high-profile races for the House of Representatives could significantly impact the Republican majority in Congress and whether the party continues to control the lower legislative chamber in the coming months.
Last week, President Donald J. Trump moved to withdraw Rep. Elise Stefanik’s (R-NY) nomination for U.N Ambassador as a Republican loss in either of the Florida races today could reduce the GOP majority to just a three-seat margin. Republicans currently hold a five-seat edge over the Democrats. However, there are four vacant House seats, with two of the vacancies being in deep blue Democrat districts.
The move to withdraw Stefanik’s appointment signals Trump’s intent to prevent further weakening of the House majority. Trump commented, “We don’t want to take any chances… It’s basic politics.”
In the 6th District, which spans Florida’s Eastern Coast, Democrat Josh Weil is facing off against Republican state Sen. Randy Fine. The district was previously held by Mike Waltz, who vacated his seat for a role as Trump’s national security advisor. Notably, Weil, a teacher, has gathered over $9 million in campaign funds by mid-March, significantly overshadowing Fine’s less than $1 million, as per Federal Election Commission data. Retaining this seat is considered absolutely crucial to the GOP majority’s continued control of the House.
Meanwhile, the 1st District in the Panhandle pits Republican Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s chief financial officer, against Democrat Gay Valimont, an ardent gun control advocate. This race replaces former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who resigned following House Ethics Committee allegations hindering his nomination for attorney general. Valimont’s campaign raised nearly $6.5 million compared to Patronis’ $2.1 million by mid-March.
These elections, alongside a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, are the first since Trump resumed office, offering insights into the GOP’s standing. Additionally, Wisconsin Democrats hope that control of the state’s Supreme Court can clear the way for mid-decade redistricting, with Republicans likely to lose a Congressional seat in the state under a new district map.
Despite enthusiasm among Democratic Party activists, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has stopped short of guaranteeing any pickups for his party this evening. “What I can say, almost guarantee, is that the Democratic candidate in both of these Florida special elections will significantly over-perform, which will represent another sign that the Republicans are on the run and that Democrats are going to take back control of the House of Representatives next year,” Jeffries said on Tuesday.
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