What Foreign Allies Really Say About Trump in Private (w/ Sen. Chris Coons)

The Democratic caucus unanimously voted against funding six major federal departments, including DHS, to force the White House to negotiate specific statutory constraints on ICE and CBP. This strategy aimed to secure binding legal changes rather than relying on executive orders that could be easily reversed. The demands included requiring judicial warrants for entry, prohibiting enforcement in sensitive locations like houses of worship and hospitals, and ensuring accountability through visible agents (no masks, badges, names) and body cameras with clear oversight protocols.

Every Democrat voted against funding bills for six departments, including DHS, to force the White House to negotiate. The initial White House offer of an executive order was rejected due to lack of trust in Trump. The goal was to get reforms 'in statute' to allow for legal challenges if violated. Specific demands included judicial warrants, no sensitive location enforcement, and visible, identifiable agents with body cams.

Senator Coons believes Trump's rare decision to 'back down' and negotiate on DHS was a direct result of sustained national rage over incidents like the killing of Alex Prey by ICE agents, coupled with private, anxious phone calls from Republican House members and senators. The administration's initial false statements about Prey's actions, quickly disproven by video evidence, fueled public anger and put pressure on Trump's base, forcing him to replace officials and agree to discussions on 'serious reforms.'

After the killing of Alex Prey, where initial administration statements were demonstrably false, a flood of phone calls went to both Democratic and Republican offices. Republican senators like Tom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski called for investigations. Coons states the White House received 'private anxious, angry phone calls from House members and senators, Republicans who support the president' which was 'the only reason that President Trump very quickly backtracked.'

During recent trips to Denmark and Davos, Senator Coons heard directly from foreign leaders, diplomats, and business leaders who privately described Trump's actions, such as the idea of acquiring Greenland, as 'batshit crazy,' 'unthinkable,' and 'unimaginable.' These leaders expressed deep hurt and concern, particularly in Denmark, a loyal NATO ally with significant per capita casualties supporting the US. They are now actively reassessing the US as a reliable partner, leading to new trade deals with China and partnerships with other nations, with some explicitly preparing for a world without US dependability.

Foreign leaders and diplomats in Denmark and Davos told Coons that Trump's Greenland idea was 'batshit crazy,' 'unthinkable,' 'unimaginable,' and 'hurts.' A Danish veteran expressed 'undying shame upon the American people' for Trump's disrespect of their sacrifice. Business leaders in Denmark are 'reassessing whether we're a reliable partner.' Allies are 'closing trade deals with China,' 'reaching out for new partnerships with India, with South America.' Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated in Davos, 'We need to prepare for a world where we cannot count on the United States.'