OPINION:
Brad Lander, the comptroller for New York City and a Democrat candidate for mayor, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials for impeding feds from arresting an illegal immigrant inside a courthouse in Manhattan and for assaulting an agent. He was shortly after let go, and with much relief, said, “I am just fine. I lost a button. But I’m going to sleep in my bed tonight, safe with my family.” What a brave little soldier is Brad.
This is the Democrat Party’s newest genius campaign to win voters’ favor: roll cameras; play victim.
First comes the staging.
Then comes the theatrics.
Then comes the walk of victimhood through friendly media.
It’s a nice little package Democrats have devised to a) show how this Donald Trump administration is thwarting the Constitution and b) how they’re the only ones standing up to the big bullies in the White House who are stealing Americans’ civil liberties. You’re not supposed to notice that it’s the White House that is instilling law and order by maintaining border controls; you’re not supposed to notice Democrats are actually standing up for lawbreakers, i.e., illegals.
You’re only supposed to watch the videos and shed tears for the poor, roughed-up Democrats, for the poor victimized illegals, for the poor state of the country due to this president’s tyrannical ways.
“Our heroic ICE law enforcement officers face a 413 percent increase in assaults against them — it is wrong that politicians seeking higher office undermine law enforcement safety to get a viral moment,” Department of Homeland Security’s assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, told CBS News.
From Lander’s camp, via Dora Pemex, Lander’s spokesperson, it was this: “While escorting a defendant out of immigration court,” she said, “Brad was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE.”
Whom to believe. Whom to believe.
Maybe Democrat Sen. Alex Padilla can shed some light. Following his stage one — when he attended Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference with intent to interrupt and accuse — and his stage two — when he was captured on camera being forcibly removed then cuffed, all while expressing outrage — this is outrageous! — then came his stage three.
“Choking back tears, Sen. Alex Padilla details his LA handcuffing,” USA Today reported.
Cha-ching.
That’s the sound of Democrats chalking up another vote from their ignorant base.
Los Angeles has the potential to become a goldmine. “No Kings” rallies — well, that’s to be decided.
“Democrats Are Wary of Playing into Trump’s Hands by Supporting ‘No Kings,’ L.A. Protests,” The Wall Street Journal reported.
Tread carefully, walk softly, o leftists of the left. Playing victim while setting cars on fire is delicate Democrat business.
It never really dawns on Democrats that if they don’t want to be detained or arrested by law enforcement, then maybe they should stop breaking laws.
Or maybe it does.
But the juicy opportunities that come from victimhood videos do such a wonderful job of distracting that the Democrat Party has zero principles and platforms by which to win voters with persuasive arguments and offering, they just can’t help themselves. The victim card works best.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter and podcast by clicking HERE. Her latest book, “God-Given Or Bust: Defeating Marxism and Saving America With Biblical Truths,” is available by clicking HERE.
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