Mr. Mirengoff Seems Confused — About What — And Whether, States Have Any Say In How They Handle Their Own Populations…

He departs — as ever — from a false premise.

He simply assumes Trump’s acts (trampling the Fourteenth Amendment) are LAWFUL.

They are not. Not at all. And thus, the states have a right (and perhaps even a duty) to oppose them. States after all are the primary police forces inside their state borders.

But suddenly, Paul loves federal interventions in local matters — after opposing them for a half century minimum. Never mind that these troops, rolling into cities… completely uninvited… violates the Posse Comitatus Act of 1787. Damn. Here’s his — and the most errant bit of it:

…Governor Newsom… argues that the “root cause” of the rioting in Los Angeles is the Trump administration’s decision to round up members of the illegal immigrant community at large — not just the criminal element and recent arrivals who have skipped their immigration hearings. They claim that the administration is doing this to boost the number of deportations. [That is certainly true. Ask Stephen Miller.]

The administration’s policy is controversial. My feelings about it are mixed. But the policy is entirely consistent with the law. [It is absolutely abhorrent to the 14^th Amendment — which speaks of “persons”, not just “citizens“. Stephen Miller and Paul are both liars here. All PERSONS on US soil are accorded due process rights. Full stop.]

To me, the root cause of the present difficulties is the decision of Los Angeles to become a sanctuary city and, relatedly, of California to enact its “Values Act….”

Well — that’s… preposterous. States absolutely may welcome people with or without papers, inside their borders. It will be hilarious when Mirengoff and Hinderaker complain that there is no one left, willing to pick their oranges, or their avocados — and get them to the Minnesota and DC and Maryland markets. Damn.

I think Paul might want to rethink his sweeping supremacy of federal forces arguments, if it ever turns out that there is a Democratic Commander in Chief.

This flip flop is precious. But Trump’s actions are… lawless.

Out.