Conservative Blogger
Thursday, May 14, 2026
China's Xi Warns Trump That Differences Over Taiwan Could Lead to Conflict
&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium) |
China’s Xi Jinping warned President Donald Trump on Thursday that their two countries could clash over Taiwan if the issue was not handled properly, an unusually harsh admonition that stood in contrast to the American leader’s praise for his counterpart. The exchange at a highly anticipated summit in Beijing underscored just how far apart Trump and Xi remain on thorny issues, including the war in Iran, trade disputes and Washington's relations with Taiwan, which is self-ruled but which China claims as part of its territory. It also suggested that Trump’s three-day visit to China is likely to be longer on pageantry and symbolism than substantive political or economic breakthroughs. The pair met for about two hours behind closed doors at the Great Hall of the People after an elaborate welcome ceremony featuring booming cannons, a band playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and China’s national anthem, and hundreds of schoolchildren jumping and waving flowers and American and Chinese flags. According to a post on X by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, Xi told Trump that “the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations.” "If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” she wrote. That came after a brief public exchange before the meeting began in which Trump told Xi: “You’re a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true.” “It’s an honor to be your friend,” Trump said before promising that “the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.” Xi was far more stark in his opening remarks, expressing hope that the U.S. and China could avoid conflict and asking “whether the two countries can transcend the ‘Thucydides Trap’ and forge a new model for relations between major powers.” That's a term, popular in foreign policy studies, referring to the idea that when a rising power threatens to displace an established one, the result is often war. Xi has used the term for years, but using it as Trump offered optimism was noteworthy and foreshadowed his closed-door comments on Taiwan. Xi nonetheless struck a more conciliatory tone when describing the overall relationship. “Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both,” he said. “The two countries should be partners rather than rivals.” After their meeting, Xi took Trump on a tour of the Temple of Heaven, then hosted a state banquet for him. The Chinese leader used his evening toast to note that he and Trump had kept U.S.-China relations “generally stable” in a turbulent world. “Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand,” Xi said, referring to Trump’s political movement. “We can help each other succeed and advance the well-being of the whole world.” In his toast, Trump again called Xi “my friend” and said his visit had been “a great honor” punctuated by a “fantastic" day. He said matters “all good for the United States and China” were discussed Thursday. Trump also announced that Xi would make a reciprocal visit to the White House on Sept. 24 — a date not previously announced. The positive tone also was reflected in the White House assessment of the earlier meetings, which said both leaders had touched on ways to enhance economic cooperation, including expanding market access for American businesses in China and increasing Chinese investment into U.S. industries. The White House readout didn't mention Taiwan directly, but, in relation to Iran, said both sides had agreed that the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil and natural gas, must remain open. The strait's closure has stranded tankers and caused energy prices to spike, threatening global economic growth. The war is dominating Trump's domestic agenda and stoking fears about the prospect of a weakening U.S. economy as November’s midterm elections — when Republicans hope to maintain control of Congress — approach. China is the largest purchaser of Iranian oil, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity that Trump would make the case for Beijing to exert its influence on Iran, noting that administration officials would underscore that “economies are melting down because of this crisis,” which means consumers are “buying less Chinese product.” It's not clear if Trump persuaded Xi to wield his influence. The White House instead said Xi opposed any implementation of tolls on vessels crossing the strait — as Iran has proposed — and expressed interest in China potentially purchasing more U.S. oil to reduce Chinese dependence on Gulf oil in the future. Xi's warning about Taiwan reflects China's displeasure with a U.S. plan to sell weapons to the island. The Trump administration has approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, but has yet to begin fulfilling it. The U.S. has a longstanding commitment to help the island defend itself if attacked, but Trump has shown greater ambivalence toward Taiwan, fueling speculation about whether the president could be persuaded to dial back American support. Taiwan said after the Xi-Trump meeting that it was grateful for Washington's “long-term support.” “The government views all actions that contribute to regional stability and the management of potential risks from authoritarian expansion positively,” Michelle Lee, a spokesperson for Taiwan’s premier, told reporters. She added that the U.S. “has also repeatedly reiterated its firm and clear position of support for Taiwan.” The White House has insisted that Trump wouldn’t be making the trip without an eye toward securing concrete results, suggesting there could be coming announcements coming on trade. That might include a Chinese commitment to buy U.S. soybeans, beef and aircraft. Trump administration officials also want to work toward establishing a Board of Trade with China to address commercial differences between the countries. Trump and Xi discussed trade on Thursday, with Xi saying that China’s door of opportunity will open wider. Xi also met with a collection of U.S. business leaders who accompanied Trump. George Chen, a partner at The Asia Group consultancy, said Xi has made his ”‘red line’ crystal clear” on Taiwan. But Chen said Xi also signaled a welcoming tone on the economic front and a desire to assure the U.S. business community that China is a place where profits can flow. The U.S. and China reached a trade truce last year that calmed each side’s threats to impose steep tariffs on the other. The White House says there have been ongoing discussions and mutual interest in extending the agreement. The leaders also discussed further stemming the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals into the United States, and increasing Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products, according to the White House. |
Fetterman Torches His Own 'Anti-American' Party — and He's Naming Names
 |
The case of Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. John Fetterman has been the subject of endless fascination because he’s turned out to be so different from what numerous pundits — and many of his own voters — thought he would be. No, he’s not suddenly on the conservative team, and no, most of his policies aren’t things we’d endorse, and yes, he is still firmly a Democrat at his core. But all too often lately, he sounds like the only Dem in D.C. who hasn’t lost their mind. Not only has he not performed as the far-left extremist many expected, but he’s also taken to occasionally siding with the GOP on crucial issues while heavily criticizing his comrades.
It’s interesting to me that he’s calling out the dangerous zaniness of the Marxist wing of his party because if even he sees it, you know it must be bad — really bad. Speaking on The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie in a video posted Wednesday, Fetterman said it’s not that he has changed so much — it’s that the party around him has morphed into something unrecognizable and has become “increasingly anti-American.” He wasn’t afraid of naming names, and boy, did he:
But the frankly unusual senator who is regularly decked out in a hoodie didn’t just have words for Katie Wilson, he also brought some truth about New York City democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who Fetterman notes is “driving people away” with his war against the wealthy, his antisemitism, and his hatred of business:
MORE: Sen. John Fetterman Just Said What Democrats Don’t Want to Hear About Themselves Bankrupt Ideas, Boiling Rage: The New Democrat Reality VIP Fetterman keeps insisting he’s a committed Democrat, but he must be thinking of a whole different era, because he sure doesn’t sound like he belongs in the ranks of the modern, way-out-there party of today. And he certainly doesn’t sound like a fan of Graham Platner, the Democrat oyster farmer with a Nazi tattoo that the Left has fallen in love with as he attempts to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME):
Fetterman continues to be an enigma. When he was running against Dr. Mehmet Oz in 2022 for the Senate seat, he famously suffered a massive stroke, and in the aftermath, he seemed frankly incapable of holding office as he dealt with cognitive and physical issues. Now, he sees so much — and is actually able to vocalize his thoughts, which wasn't always the case — yet he appears incapable of realizing that he’s simply on the wrong side of history by keeping his party registration. I fully expected him to be yet another wacko, far-left, pugilistic Democrat extremist, and have been frankly stunned as he’s turned out to be the only one left in his party who seemingly has a functioning brain. No, that doesn’t make him the new GOP hero, but I’ll take him and what he says any day over the America-bashing Schumer, Jeffries, Pelosi, Raskin, Schiff et al. If you’re not going to join the right side, John, how about you at least go independent? By siding with that poisonous team, you are aiding and abetting them, despite your spot-on criticism of their antics. Walk away. |
Watch: Rubio Schools the Pope on Iran Appeasement—Faith Guides Us, But National Security Comes First
 |
Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered an incredibly sharp response to Pope Leo XIV’s hand-wringing over U.S. military action against Iran, explaining the nuances and intricacies of dealing with terrorist nations. Rubio, in an interview with Fox News personality Sean Hannity, reminded the Vatican that while faith serves as our nation's moral compass—always—the sacred duty of keeping Americans safe sometimes demands more than endless diplomacy. When pressed on the push for negotiations with a regime hell-bent on nuclear weapons and regional domination, Rubio didn’t mince words, drawing on a World War II analogy that perhaps the Pope could understand. "I agree. We wouldn’t want wars either. We’re not – I don’t think we’re in favor of war. But for a nation-state ... there are threats to your security and to the well-being of your people that have to be addressed," he said. "Ideally through a diplomatic means, but there are conflicts, and there are issues in the world that cannot be solved diplomatically, no matter how hard you try." Rubio noted how diplomacy has been tried repeatedly for years in dealing with Iran. "There’s been over a decade of work done to try to diplomatically solve Iran’s desire and ambition to have a nuclear weapons program. We haven’t gotten any result," he continued. "What was the diplomatic solution for an Adolf Hitler, as an example? There probably – there was none, right? And it unfortunately led to a war." "We are obviously guided by our faith, and we’re instructed by our faith. That’s the compass by which we live our lives," Rubio explained. "We also have an obligation to the national security of our country, and that has to be taken into account. That’s our primary job, is to keep Americans safe. And that’s why we’re involved in Iran. That’s why we’re involved in anything we do around the world."
READ MORE: Vance Delivers Perfect Response After Pope Calls Out ‘Narrative’ About Him and Trump Rubio Lays Down a Brutal Red Line for Iran Rubio is spot on here. As per his position, the Pope will always preach peace. He's always going to pray for peace. We hear it every single Sunday during Mass, when the priest prays for world leaders to resolve their differences and for wars to end across the globe. And everybody would love to see that. But, until then, Rubio is making it crystal clear that this administration won’t sacrifice national security on the altar of appeasement. Pope Leo had made headlines, much to the joy of the mainstream media, with comments seemingly critical of the Trump administration's actions in Iran. “God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs,” he wrote on his official X account. “Military action will not create space for freedom or times of #Peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.”
Pope Leo has suggested on occasion that the media is cynically trying to interpret his comments, calling their analysis "commentary on commentary." His comments, though, triggered a public feud with President Trump, who called the Pope "terrible" on foreign policy and accused him of endangering people by opposing strong action against Iran. “I donʼt think heʼs doing a very good job. … I am not a fan of Pope Leo,” Trump fired back: “Heʼs a very liberal person.”
Rubio's response was slightly more measured. It is a much-needed reminder that while faith and prayer are vital, only clear-eyed leadership and strength will keep Americans safe. |
Good Riddance to the Awful Thomas Massie
 |
Next week, the people of the 4th Congressional District of Kentucky have a chance to punt that useless poser Thomas Massie through the goalposts of failure. Let’s hope they do. This ridiculous clown was merely a tiresome curiosity when the Republicans had a decent margin in the House, but then, he found himself with a little bit of heat because of the current small margin. And he made the best of it, through shameless lies and cringe-worthy self-promotion, going from marginal mediocrity to an active abscess on the buttocks of the party. It’s time to lance that boil. Libertarians are useless at best, and it’s worse when they are active co-conspirators with the Democrats. There’s this idea that libertarians are actually Republicans who simply like dope, but that’s not so. They’re like that mythical creature we used to hear about in the ‘90s, the fiscally conservative but socially liberal voter who inevitably voted however the Democrats wanted. And that’s what Massie does, though he tries to cloak it in the garments of principle. It’s unclear whether he’s ever actually passed any legislation of his own, though he’s always eager to propose bills; he’s unable to get anyone to join him. That’s because everybody hates him. That’s because he’s a jerk. Before his wife sadly died young a couple of years ago, he was content to be a fringe weirdo with bad hair and no heat. Once she tragically passed away, he visited a hairstylist, married a leftist staffer 20 years his junior, and decided he needed to broaden his horizons, which meant helping the Democrats and shafting the GOP more openly than before. And perhaps he became a player, too, at least according to a woman who said he tried to pay her 60 grand to shut up about their kinky affair. I don’t know if that is true or not, and I kind of doubt it for several reasons including that the idea of a schlub like Thomas Massie scoring is so inherently unbelievable. Still, the story is out there. The primary voters of the Kentucky 4th can decide whether this current scandal matters, but there are plenty of reasons to dump this loser besides unproven claims about his inability to satisfy a woman. You know, like being the ringmaster for the whole Epstein circus. The Epstein affair, which rapidly became an idiotic moral panic and an IQ test that far too many people failed, was this guy’s claim to fame. Suddenly, this nobody was somebody, appearing on all the regime shows and getting a bunch of press because of his courageous and principled stand. Just kidding. Principles had nothing to do with it. It was his willingness to attack fellow Republicans over the shakiest of shaky allegations. He didn’t care who he hurt with his lies. You’ll notice above that I carefully set forth that the claims against Massie himself are unproven and merely allegations. That’s because I’m not a scumbag who makes unqualified accusations against people when I don’t have proof that I find compelling. But Massie had no such compunctions. He was perfectly willing to go out and essentially argue that Donald Trump was the head of a pervert ring and claim that a whole bunch of other people were part of it, and that he had that information, and he was going to see the truth come out. And where is this truth? Nowhere. Nada. A big nothing. He didn’t expose anyone because it was all crap. It was all a lie. And he didn’t care. And he still doesn’t care that he lies. Donald Trump wants to get rid of this dork and has endorsed Ed Gallrein in the primary. I’ve had a chance to interview Ed, and he’s a solid guy, a straightforward and strait-laced conservative who loves his country. Massie talks about how he’s principled and patriotic – he went on Tucker, who has gone insane, and Tucker claimed that this primary election will show whether a candidate who loves America can win. And it will, but not the way Tucker meant. Ed was a Navy SEAL captain, and he showed his love for America by fighting for it rather than posing for the cameras like Massie did back when the Epstein thing was useful and the regime media still paid attention to him. He’s claiming Ed Gallrein supports Israel, and that’s bad, apparently because the Jews are responsible for Massie’s many failures. In any case, I’m not sure why he’s trying to make us support his opponent more with his claims that Ed will back our ally in the Middle East, but even a bad strategy is a kind of strategy. He also, hilariously, claims that Ed is some sort of trans-loving guy because one of Ed’s donors supposedly is. Here’s a shock. Brace yourself. You’re not going to believe this. That donor is Jewish. But hey, Massie’s got his supporters. Ro Khanna is all for him. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez digs him. Jasmine Crockett backs him. And why not? He carries their water for them. He’s organ grinder Hakeem Jeffries’s little dancing monkey for whatever narrative they’re pushing that day. He’s never there when we need him. He wasn’t there for defeating our enemies, or sealing the borders, or the Big Beautiful Bill. He would’ve let your taxes go up. He would’ve kept people who live off tips paying taxes on them, and he would’ve told you it's because of his rigorous dedication to whatever he’s dedicated to. That seems to change as his political needs change. But he’s consistent about one thing: his precious principles never help the Republicans, though he desperately wants to remain in the Republican Party so he has a chance of winning in his bright-red district. But the truth is coming out. Thomas Massie is a Democrat simp posing as a principled rebel. Massie’s only principle is whatever benefits Thomas Massie at any given moment. He’s annoying, he’s a buffoon, and he’s grossly dishonest – I had an encounter with him on X over something a few months ago, and I don’t even remember what it was; I just remember how disingenuous he was. And now his constituents are learning the truth. Once upon a time, he was kind of amusing. But no one’s amused anymore. He needs to go. And he should go next Tuesday. It will probably happen. The polls are all over the place, but Massie’s support is clustered among the young and dumb, who tend not to vote. Maybe it’s the pot that libertarians love. Maybe they’re just lazy. Maybe they’re afraid of the Jews. Who knows? But older, conservative patriots have had it up to here with Massie’s antics. Those are the folks who vote, and those are the folks who are going to support a proven patriot like Ed over a posturing political peacock like Massie. Now, some folks question whether the GOP should spend money and effort on a Republican primary in a ruby-red district. Does this distract from taking the fight to the Democrats? No, not at all. Maintaining party discipline is absolutely part of what we must do, and this guy has not backed the party. He has backed himself at our expense, so we must spend time and effort taking him out. It is important to maintain good order and discipline, as military men like Ed Gallrein and I understand. It is not a distraction to deal with selfish creeps who hurt the organization. That is part of the job. So, it is good that Donald Trump is focusing on this race. It is good that we are spending money to replace a putz with a patriot. And it’s going to be great when Thomas Massie gets punted into political oblivion. I look forward to his future podcast, “The Principled Loser Report with Thomas Massie.” |
Hakeem Jeffries Had a Total Meltdown Yesterday
 |
There’s not much to say here: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries went a bit over the top at his press conference yesterday, claiming there are ghosts of the Confederacy emanating from the Supreme Court — like the ghosts in Ghostbusters — spreading across the country. He’s referring to the Louisiana v. Callins decision, which allowed Southern states to redraw their maps again, as the Voting Rights Act was once more narrowed regarding race-based congressional apportionment. A flurry of states are redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms. Some can’t do so due to legal questions, like in Mississippi, while others, like South Carolina and Indiana, decided to cough up the ball, though the Palmetto State is trying to push through a new map with a special session.
I mean, it was a tantrum, and a sad one. Temu Obama cannot stop what the 2030 census is going to do to blue states, which is reduce their electoral power. They will lose congressional seats and electoral votes. This event, coupled with a newly redistricted South, is truly going to kneecap Democrats, and he knows that. Ok, chief—keep thinking that, because that mindset is how we got here. There was almost a 50/50 chance that the GOP would win fewer than 193 seats in the midterms. That’s dropped 20 percent in a month. The House is in play because, while Trump’s approval ratings aren’t solid, the Democrats are worse.
These people truly have no idea what’s going on, and it’s hilarious to watch.
|
Report: Hamas carried out ‘deliberate, coordinated’ acts of sexual violence on and after Oct. 7 attack
 |
| (Background) Palestinian militants of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades
move towards the Erez crossing between Israel and the northern Gaza
Strip on October 7, 2023. The findings of a major two-year investigation into Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel have been published in a report that revealed the terror group committed ‘deliberate, coordinated’ sexual violence against victims, including entire families. On Tuesday, the Civil Commission on October 7th Crimes by Hamas Against Women and Children published a 300-page report titled, “Silenced No More: Sexual Terror Unveiled.” The commission emphasized that the report is “the first to systematically assemble, verify, and analyze the evidence on sexual and gender-based violence during the attacks and in captivity, drawing on a uniquely constructed and independently secured war crimes archive.” The commission compiled over 10,000 photographs and video segments, more than 1,800 hours of visual material, over 430 testimonies and interviews with survivors, witnesses, released hostages, experts, and family members from 52 nationalities, in addition to the Israeli victims. The vast collection of data was cross-referenced through an “interdisciplinary review,” the human rights group said. The years-long war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists carried out terror attacks on Israel, including at the Nova music festival, which resulted in at least 354 deaths and dozens of kidnappings, marking the deadliest massacre in Israel’s history. A team of researchers, lawyers, documenters and trauma experts identified 13 recurring and systemic forms of sexual and gender-based violence across the Nova music festival, homes, roads, shelters, military bases and Gaza captivity. These were categorized as:
Atrocities were documented across the Nova music festival, homes, roads, shelters, military bases and Gaza captivity, indicating a pattern of abuse that was “part of a broader operational method,” not isolated incidents, according to researchers. The commission cited at least one documented case in which family members held captive together were coerced into performing acts of sexual violence on each other.
Witnesses from the music festival described scenarios where terrorists raped and mutilated women, both alive and dead. Yoni Saadon, who hid beneath a stage, reported many separate acts of violence. In one instance, a woman was raped, then shot in the head. An hour later, he said he saw a “beautiful woman with the face of an angel” who was being beaten by eight or 10 terrorists.
Raz Cohen, another survivor of the massacre, saw several terrorists exit a vehicle, dragging a woman who was then raped and stabbed to death.
Men, children and elders were also victimized. A male survivor said he was subjected to “a violent gang rape and torture by multiple perpetrators” and heard others being sexually abused at the festival. A polygraph examination confirmed his testimony, according to the report.
Eden Wessely told the commission she drove to the area of the festival in an attempt to rescue a friend. On a nearby road, she found and filmed the burned body of a woman who was shot through her cheek. She said the woman’s dress was pulled up and her underwear had been removed. “They removed her underwear. Her legs were spread. Her genitals were exposed,” the witness said. Perpetrators also “recorded, livestreamed, and distributed acts of abuse and torture through social media and victims’ own digital accounts,” according to the commission, weaponizing the digital dissemination of the abuse past the individual acts of violence.
The commission asserted that the atrocities committed by Hamas were “deliberate, coordinated and embedded in the attack itself.” Due to the systemic nature of sexual violence, the commission concluded that the acts constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocidal acts under international law.
The report provides “a legal roadmap for prosecution,” the commission said, outlining a pathway to hold direct perpetrators and enablers of violence accountable. Nearly coinciding with the report’s release, the Israeli parliament passed a bill to establish a military tribunal that would prosecute perpetrators of the October 7th attacks. The investigation was endorsed by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, former French Ambassador for Human Rights François Zimeray, former Special Adviser to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mukesh Kapila, and several others.
|
Whistleblower Exposes Fauci's Role in COVID Origin Cover-Up
 |
A career CIA officer, James Erdman III, told a Senate hearing that he witnessed a deliberate effort to steer the public story about COVID’s origins away from a lab leak, and he said Dr. Anthony Fauci played a central role in that effort. Erdman testified that the CIA was poised in August 2021 to conclude a lab-origin finding, only to see the assessment shifted after Fauci allegedly “injected” himself into the intelligence process and steered analysts toward a neutral conclusion. Erdman described how Fauci supplied a curated list of experts and pushed “people in his orbit” to influence the agencies that were examining origins — a charge that, if true, would mean a public health czar was shaping intelligence findings to protect a narrative. Senators on the panel pressed the witness about specific dates and internal discussions, underscoring that this testimony was given under oath and in a formal congressional proceeding. Chairman Rand Paul convened the hearing to air what he called a long-running cover-up, and conservative media blasted Democrats for largely skipping the session — a move that will not sit well with millions of Americans who demand answers. The whole spectacle reinforces why Republicans vowed to keep probing the pandemic’s origin until transparency is achieved. This new whistleblower testimony arrives alongside criminal allegations tied to the NIH: the Justice Department recently indicted a former Fauci adviser, Dr. David Morens, accusing him of using private email to conceal records and obstruct inquiries into coronavirus research. That indictment, which charges Morens with conspiring to hide communications and destroying records, only deepens the suspicion that powerful actors in our public health bureaucracy were willing to cover tracks rather than answer for potential mistakes. Americans shouldn’t be shy about demanding consequences; half-measures and press conferences won’t satisfy the families who lost loved ones or the taxpayers who funded the research at issue. If public servants abused their power to hide the truth, they should face the full weight of the law — no exceptions for prestige, no special treatment for insiders. Predictably, the left-wing media and some Democrats rushed to defend Fauci, calling the hearing a partisan fishing expedition and praising his decades of service; their reflexive protectionism only stokes the perception that a Washington orthodoxy protects its own. The congressional record even contains moments where members rose to Fauci’s defense, but public opinion is shifting toward accountability rather than credential worship. This country was built on the principle that no one is above the law, and that includes the mandarins of science and national security who advised our government through the pandemic. Congress must declassify the relevant documents, compel sworn testimony, and if the evidence supports it, pursue prosecutions — otherwise the next crisis will be met with the same culture of secrecy and self-preservation instead of transparency and service to the American people. |
DeSantis Shuts Down Alligator Alcatraz After $1M a Day Tab
Florida officials are now telling vendors to break down the
Everglades tent camp nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” as soon as June, and
roughly 1,400 detainees will be moved to other facilities. Governor Ron
DeSantis called the site a temporary “bridge” and said bluntly, “If we
shut the lights out tomorrow, we will be able to say it served its
purpose.” What looked like a headline-grabbing experiment in border
enforcement is being wound down — and for once, pragmatism seems to be
winning over theatrics.
Shutdown: Money, mission, and common sense
The main reason for closing the South Florida Detention Facility is simple: it costs a fortune. Reports show the operation was burning north of $1 million a day and state estimates pushed total costs well into the hundreds of millions — even into the billion-dollar range. Florida had expected federal reimbursement, and more than $600 million was tied to the project, but that money has not been settled. Running a temporary tent city in the Everglades as a permanent expense is not smart budgeting — even Washington’s checkbook has limits.
Legal fights and environmental headaches
Beyond the money, lawsuits piled up. Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe sued over damage to the Everglades, endangered species, and tribal lands. Federal judges have already ordered pauses and limits at times, and other court orders tackled detainee access to lawyers and humane treatment. Those legal battles injected real uncertainty — another good reason to stop throwing good money into a legal quagmire instead of focusing on workable, lawful solutions.
Where the detainees go and who calls the shots
About 1,400 people currently held at the site are set to be transferred to other ICE facilities once the camp is dismantled. The Department of Homeland Security under Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin is reportedly taking a fresh look at the site’s role and how to handle transfers. The logistics matter: moving people safely, keeping courts informed, and making sure due process is respected. If the goal was better border control, the system can’t be run like a PR stunt — it needs coordination with ICE and DHS to actually work.
A political win, a budget lesson, and one last thought
Governor DeSantis was right to call the facility temporary and to pull the plug when the price and legal costs outweighed the benefits. Conservatives should applaud a leader who builds a tool when needed, uses it, then admits when it’s time to dismantle it. That said, taxpayers deserve answers: show the numbers, explain the reimbursements, and learn from the mistakes. If Alligator Alcatraz taught anything useful, it’s that bold action matters — but so does following the law, watching the ledger, and knowing when the spectacle has run its course.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-
How many times do we need to say this? If you’re here illegally and get caught, you’re going back. It’s the la...
-
CNN’s Scott Jennings once again took liberals to the cleaners on the Abrego Garcia case, the ‘Maryland man... -
The problem with the courts is the same as the problem with many of our other institutions. Called the Skins...
