TOI Correspondent from Washington: After throwing up his hands at defusing the Israel-Iran clash, US President Donald Trump on Sunday declared war on America’s largest cities, ordering immigration officials to deliver the “single largest mass deportation program in history” by repatriating “millions upon millions of illegal aliens” he said were being used by Democrats to cheat in elections.In a fiery social media post, Trump identified Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York among cities that formed the core of the “Democrat Power Center,” where he alleged illegal immigrants were being used to expand voter base, win elections, and rob good paying jobs from US citizens in heartland America. “The American People want our Cities, Schools, and Communities to be SAFE and FREE from Illegal Alien Crime, Conflict, and Chaos. That’s why I have directed my entire Administration to put every resource possible behind this effort, and reverse the tide of Mass Destruction Migration that has turned once Idyllic Towns into scenes of Third World Dystopia,” Trump said in a post that appeared to pit heartland America versus urban America, Red v Blue, and MAGA v Moderates, exacerbating the deepening fissures in the United States.Trump’s screed came soon after he waved away US role in pacifying the raging Israel-Iran conflict, suggesting that sometimes war is inevitable before countries arrive at a deal. While supporting Israel’s attack on Iran, the US President maintained that Washington was not involved in the war and warned US would respond strongly if its interests were attacked. The MAGA supremo had stronger words for domestic “Radical Democrat Politicians” who he said are “sick of mind, hate our Country, and actually want to destroy our Inner Cities,” accusing them of subjecting US law enforcement authorities to violence, harassment and even threats. Democrats, who typically win the more populated, racially diverse, and economically hefty US cities, have alleged that immigration officials are bearing down on non-white documented workers, some of them US citizens, in their zeal to meet the President’s deportation targets. “Nothing will stop us from executing our mission, and fulfilling our Mandate to the American People. ICE Officers are herewith ordered…to do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History. To ICE, FBI, DEA, ATF, the Patriots at Pentagon and the State Department, you have my unwavering support. Now go, GET THE JOB DONE!” Trump wrote amid reports that he was irked at the slow pace of deportations.Immigration activists say allegations of millions upon millions of illegal aliens in US cities are bogus and aimed at demonizing legal immigrants. While New York City has a population of around 8 million mostly legal residents, LA and Chicago have a population between 3 million to 4 million. Most estimates put the total illegal immigrant population at around 12 million nationwide, but Trump has alleged that the Biden administration alone let in 21 million illegal aliens.Two developments appeared to have triggered Trump into letting loose the dogs of war at home. Over the weekend, he implicitly acknowledged that mass deportation of immigrant workers would adversely affect the farm sector and the hotel and restaurant industry, prompting a backlash from some MAGA principals who want to end all immigration, both illegal and legal. There was also the embarrassment of nationwide anti-Trump protests that were clearly more energetic than the insipid military-birthday “perade” that trundled through Washington DC.Reports about the parade being a flop show seemed to agitate Trump, who insisted it was a “tremendous success” even as his supporters suggested the “No Kings” protests that took place concurrently was infiltrated by foreign elements. “The public voted for mass deportations; and after these violent, destructive, foreign flag-waving “protests,” it’s more urgent than ever that we do just that. This is no time to reward unscrupulous employers or immigration lawbreakers,” Fox News host Laura Ingraham said.
