CNN’s Dana Bash just gave President Donald Trump a rare nod of approval for turning the U.S.-Mexico border situation around.
In a surprising segment on CNN, Bash highlighted how Trump’s policies in his first year back in the White House have dramatically shifted the border landscape compared to the previous administration’s tenure.
Bash's compliment shows that some on the left understand the need for stricter immigration laws and don't fall into the progressive agenda of unchecked open borders.
Right out of the gate, Trump signed executive orders targeting illegal immigration with a heavy hand. He classified Mexican drug cartels, the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, and the El Salvadoran gang MS-13 as foreign terrorist organizations, signaling a no-nonsense approach.
Compare that to the previous administration under Joe Biden, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection data showed millions of unauthorized migrants encountered, with many released into the country. Bash even showcased charts on air to drive the contrast home.
Speaking to CNN political analyst Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Bash noted, “I mean, that tells a story of an accomplishment for the president, one that he definitely ran on.” Well, credit where it’s due—Trump campaigned hard on border security, and these numbers suggest he’s delivering, even if the progressive crowd might squirm at admitting it.
Fast forward to a recent announcement from the Trump administration, and the stats are jaw-dropping. For seven consecutive months, not a single unauthorized migrant has been released into the U.S., a stark departure from prior years.
Then there’s the Department of Homeland Security’s report card, revealing over 2.5 million unauthorized migrants have left the country, with 1.9 million opting to self-deport. That’s a massive shift, and it’s hard to argue with results like these.
On top of that, DHS confirmed over 129,000 unaccompanied minors—previously untracked under the last administration—are now accounted for. It’s a relief for communities worried about safety and oversight, though one wonders why it took so long to address.
DHS also rolled out operations in cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, focusing on interior enforcement. It’s a reminder that Trump’s promises weren’t just about the border but also about tackling issues deep within the nation.
Bash herself pointed out, “He definitely made a promise there, and yet there hasn’t been a lot of focus on that because of what he has been doing in the interior of the country.” She’s not wrong—while the border gets the spotlight, these internal sweeps show Trump’s keeping his word, even if they stir debate among progressive circles.
Critics might grumble about the optics or methods, but from a populist lens, these actions resonate with folks tired of policies that seemed to prioritize open borders over community stability. The data doesn’t lie, even if it’s inconvenient for some narratives.
For conservatives, this is a moment to celebrate a policy win without the woke spin that often clouds the conversation. It’s about the rule of law, not rhetoric, and the numbers back up the shift.
Still, empathy matters—many of these migrants face tough choices, and while enforcement is key, the human side can’t be ignored. A balanced approach means securing borders while remembering the dignity of those caught in the system.
At the end of the day, Trump’s border strategy has reshaped the game, and even CNN can’t help but notice. For a nation hungry for results over promises, this feels like a step toward reclaiming control, one policy at a time.
