Washington, DC – On Friday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) expressed speculation that President Biden may be facing constraints from his staff, preventing him from taking executive action to address the migrant influx at the southern border. Johnson, who has consistently advocated for executive measures such as reinstating the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” policy and resuming border wall construction, contends that the president possesses the authority to act without requiring new congressional authorization.
In ongoing discussions regarding border and migration policy, particularly in light of a bipartisan Senate group’s efforts to link Ukraine aid with these issues, Johnson has been critical. He has indicated potential opposition to the proposed legislation, asserting that if the reported contents align with the press, it would be deemed “dead on arrival” in the House.
The White House, however, has contested the notion that Biden’s executive powers can achieve more in addressing the border situation. Additionally, they accused Speaker Johnson of resisting the Senate border deal while advocating for executive actions, suggesting political motivations. Former President Trump has endorsed this perspective, urging Republicans, including Johnson, to reject the Senate border deal.
