End hardships for working Americans: Donald Trump and maga Republicans must stand in the long airport lines they created to fly our of Washington DC

No breaks for Congress until TSA funded | A Baltimore Sun editorial.

Wait in long TSA security lines at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in the Queens borough of New York, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)

Whatever modest (untrained) help is provided by the Trump administration’s decision to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to help reduce long lines at airport security this week, it’s time Congress approves at least a stopgap measure to fund the Transportation Security Administration, if not the entirety of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

And if Democrats and Republicans can’t find common ground on such thorny issues as the masking of ICE agents or when exactly those agents must use judicial warrants❓💢 Negotiators should be locked in a room until they agree to some compromise.

That would be an inconvenience, but it would also be a relatable experience to Americans now so often stuck in outrageously long security lines at BWI Marshall Airport and many of its counterparts across the country.

As for any members of Congress planning to go on break at the end of this week for the Easter holiday, we’re with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who said that won’t happen while the DHS funding issue remains unresolved. 

We would expect House Speaker Mike Johnson to do the same even if the current impasse rests in the other chamber. 

The sooner any compromise produced in the Senate can be approved by the full Congress, the better. All members should be embarrassed by this failure. It’s not a partisan thing; it’s a good government thing.

No doubt senators are hearing plenty of negative feedback from constituents who travel. They’ll hear even more if the long security lines impact Easter travel. And keep in mind, it isn’t really just about having to wait — heavy travel days sometimes force delays, no matter whether TSA agents are getting paid or not — but the sheer stupidity of it all. How ICE conducts enforcement is an important and hotly debated issue, and it’s understandable that neither party is eager to cede ground. Now, can we also agree that the political leverage of a budget bill can only be asserted so far❓

Priorities such as saving political face and boosting chances in the midterms should come after looking out for American voters who are facing punishing lines and missing flights across the country.

We get the performative elements of politics. It’s always been this way. But ,this is also a time when voters have clearly lost patience with all the theatrics coming out of Washington, D.C., and expect their elected officials to behave like adults.

The current crop of D.C. movers and shakers have already demonstrated that they aren’t quite as embarrassed by a government shutdown as they ought to be — last year’s edition lasted a record 43 days. The DHS shutdown is already approaching that historic number.

All those Americans standing in a line right now that did not have to exist are likely asking, when do members of Congress do their own jobs and find a compromise❓ The last thing to do is reward any of these players with a nice holiday vacation. Keep everyone at their posts. It’s the least they can do.

Baltimore Sun editorial writers offer opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers.

J.D. Vance has an opportunity to create a "real time" miracle! Pope Francis gave him a seque

Echo opinion published in the Seattle Times by Jackie Calmes

If I believed in miracles as strongly as I did as a Catholic school student, I could hope that Vice President JD Vance would be transformed by his audience with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday just hours before the pope died, that he’d embrace Francis’ compassionate views on the world’s migrants. But I don’t much believe in miracles anymore, especially for the veep. He’s too covetous of earthly, political rewards.

Still, thank God that Francis left some final words — for Vance, a Catholic convert; for other Catholics (a majority of whom voted for President Donald Trump and Vance, polls showed); and for people of any or no religious persuasion — castigating the administration’s heartless as well as lawless deportation efforts.

The story hasn’t been bloody — yet. But it’s a cruel one. The Washington Post, in a front-page story on Monday next to the one about Vance’s visit with Francis, reported on conditions in crowded U.S. migrant detention centers. “You’re stripped from your humanity,” América Platt told the Post. She spent four sleepless nights on a floor mat in a Texas center after being arrested for an unresolved traffic ticket,❓❗ the Post reported, and then was deported to Mexico, where she hadn’t lived since fleeing an abusive father two decades ago.

Though Trump and border czar Tom Homan say they’re rousting only criminals, about half of those detained by border officials have no criminal charges or convictions, according to federal data. The overwhelming majority of migrants now languishing in a Salvadoran gulag have no criminal record, media investigations found. Meanwhile, immigrants here legally are seeing their status revoked, some have been snatched by hooded agents and many detained or deported without due process.

The Springfield (Ohio) News-Sun reported last week that a majority of the city’s Haitian population, most of whom are legal U.S. residents, remain there despite Trump’s threats to revoke their immigration status and deport them. “They don’t have any other place to go in the U.S.A. where they will not be facing the same issue,” Vilès Dorsainvil, president of a local Haitian assistance group, told the newspaper.

Vance has helped see to that. In his first interview after becoming vice president, he attacked the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for opposing Trump’s policy of allowing immigration agents to enter and search churches and schools; he suggested the bishops were fretful about losing federal subsidies for their migrant aid programs: “Are they worried about humanitarian concerns? Or are they actually worried about their bottom line?” he snarkily asked on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

Otherwise Trump-friendly Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York condemned Vance’s remarks as “scurrilous,” noting that immigration aid is a money loser even with federal funds❗ 

In fact, the bishops’ conference is suing the government to get millions owed to the church. Earlier this month, Catholic leaders cited ongoing federal cuts in ending a longtime partnership with the government that resettles migrants who’ve fled violence, persecution and poverty, as well as a separate program for undocumented migrant children.

Francis was watching all this. “I have followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations,” he wrote to U.S. bishops in February, in a letter that implicitly rebutted Vance’s criticism. “The rightly formed conscience canno

Vance will almost certainly ignore the pope’s legacy. Trump, who will attend Francis’ funeral Saturday, surely will. After all, Francis’ admonition in 2016 regarding then-candidate Trump — “A person who thinks only about building walls … and not building bridges, is not Christian” — didn’t diminish Trump’s anti-immigrant zeal. Nonetheless, Francis’ words stand as a reproach to the administration’s current policies, a pastoral shot heard round the world.

After his brief meeting with Vance, the Francis, in his wheelchair, went to the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square. He rasped a short Easter blessing; an archbishop read his full Easter message to the 35,000 people below and millions watching by video.

“How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants!” Francis lamented. “I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear, which only leads to isolation from others, but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development. These are the weapons of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death.”

Of course, the pope had just encountered one of the worst contempt-stirrers. It was Vance who, in the closing weeks of the 2024, campaign, first spread lies about Haitian immigrants eating people’s pets in Springfield, Ohio, which Trump echoed with gusto despite local Republicans’ pleas to stop. Neo-Nazis arrived to intimidate the refugees to leave. Trump, referring to the Haitians as well as other migrants nationwide, told supporters in Wisconsin, “Getting them out will be a bloody story.”




The story hasn’t been bloody — yet. But it’s a cruel one. The Washington Post, in a front-page story on Monday next to the one about Vance’s visit with Francis, reported on conditions in crowded U.S. migrant detention centers. “You’re stripped from your humanity,” América Platt told the Post. She spent four sleepless nights on a floor mat in a Texas center after being arrested for an unresolved traffic ticket, the Post reported, and then was deported to Mexico, where she hadn’t lived since fleeing an abusive father two decades ago.

Though Trump and border czar Tom Homan say they’re rousting only criminals, about half of those detained by border officials have no criminal charges or convictions, according to federal data. The overwhelming majority of migrants now languishing in a Salvadoran gulag have no criminal record, media investigations found. Meanwhile, immigrants here legally are seeing their status revoked, some have been snatched by hooded agents and many detained or deported without due process.

The Springfield (Ohio) News-Sun reported last week that a majority of the city’s Haitian population, most of whom are legal U.S. residents, remain there despite Trump’s threats to revoke their immigration status and deport them. “They don’t have any other place to go in the U.S.A. where they will not be facing the same issue,” Vilès Dorsainvil, president of a local Haitian assistance group, told the newspaper.

Vance has helped see to that. In his first interview after becoming vice president, he attacked the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for opposing Trump’s policy of allowing immigration agents to enter and search churches and schools; he suggested the bishops were fretful about losing federal subsidies for their migrant aid programs: “Are they worried about humanitarian concerns? Or are they actually worried about their bottom line?” he snarkily asked on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

Otherwise, the Trump-friendly Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York condemned Vance’s remarks as “scurrilous,” noting that immigration aid is a money loser even with federal funds. 

The bishops’ conference is suing the government to get millions owed to the church. Earlier this month, Catholic leaders cited ongoing federal cuts in ending a longtime partnership with the government that resettles migrants who’ve fled violence, persecution and poverty, as well as a separate program for undocumented migrant children.

Francis was watching all this. “I have followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations,” he wrote to U.S. bishops in February, in a letter that implicitly rebutted Vance’s criticism. “The rightly formed conscience cannot fail to make a critical judgment.”

The pope acknowledged a nation’s right to police its borders, but urged openness toward innocents fleeing “extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment” — as Jesus, Mary and Joseph did when they fled to Egypt.

“What would Jesus do?” the question goes. Not what Donald Trump and Vance are doing, Francis made clear in his letter — as he did again in his Easter address before he died.

This isn’t to argue that government leaders should take their cues from a pope in Rome. Unlike MAGA Republicans (and the conservative Catholic justices who dominate the Supreme Court), I’m among the majority of Americans who support a strong wall between church and state. But some public actions are so heinous that a pope is compelled to speak, and we should too. And for God’s sake, politicians should listen.

Jackie Calmes: is an opinion columnist for the Los Angeles Times in Washington, D.C.

Young immigrants and Donald Trump ~ What Would Jesus Do?

Echo opinion from Tulsa World in Oklahoma ~ This particular echo was originally published post the terrible Donald Trump weird and cruel Easter twitter rant but as Christians are celebrating the Easter Season and on the eve of Eastern Rite Easter, the opinion letter is even more timely. 

Editorial writer Ginnie Graham: Trump's (un-Christian) Easter message against DACA recipients mean-spirited

Eastern Rite Christians ~ a religious tradition of peace

Before heading out to Easter services, Donald Trump took a few moments to threaten 800,000 young immigrants and grouse about his political opponents.

Just what Jesus would do.

“Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch & Release. Getting more dangerous. ‘Caravans’ coming. Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. NO MORE DACA DEAL!” ~ Tweeted the un-Christian Trumpzi

There is a lot to unpack in that randomly capitalized statement, but the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ~ in other words, young immigrants) is the reference that stuck.

Trump was mean.

Many immigrant children and youth live in religiously devout families and were also celebrating the holiest of Christian holidays. To have this darken a day meant for families and faith was unnecessary.

If he believed such a sentiment needed to be tweeted, waiting a day would have shown some mercy, restraint and moral empathy.

DACA refers to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a policy that protects young undocumented immigrants from deportation. It’s been a political lightening rod.


At times on Easter, my thoughts wandered to the DACA kids I’ve come to know through the years. Many I met while they were in high school or college and are now moving into young adulthood.


A majority can’t remember their arrival in the U.S. because they were babies, toddlers or preschoolers. Some didn’t know they were undocumented until they reached driving age.

Those who can remember often tell harrowing tales of survival.

They have grown up as any other American kid: Going to school, playing sports, joining the band, dating and calling Tulsa (Oklahoma) home. They have attended college and have career plans.

Since 2001, Congress has had a chance to take up the pending Dream Act, which would provide an avenue for these youth to apply for legal residency and possible later citizenship.

It’s not an amnesty. Only a narrow group would qualify, based on the eligibility standards.

DACA was a temporary bandage to push that along. The Obama administration memorandums establishing the program only staved off deportation; it didn’t provide residency, only a legal limbo.

Still, these kids clung to that as hope that they would one day be recognized as full Americans. 

They signed up and trusted that the government would find its way to a better immigration system. It’s their only option.

Trump announced DACA’s end last September, but federal judges in New York and California issued injunctions until lawsuits over its continuation are resolved.

Immigration reform is the never-ending stalemate in Congress. It’s clearly frustrating the president, as it did the previous two presidents.

Right now, the DACA kids are caught in the middle. That’s not right.

While I worried for these young Oklahoma residents that day, they didn’t let it dampen their moods.

“I had a great Easter with my family,” said Jordan Mazariegos, past president of Dream Act Oklahoma and a DACA recipient.

“His tweet can be an indication of new policy but, quite honestly to me, he says one thing one day and another thing on another day. It’s in the courts now, and that’s the decision I’m waiting on.”

Trump’s immigration tirade didn’t end there. He issued tweets later claiming Mexicans were “pouring in” to take advantage of DACA and blamed Democrats for the immigration reform failure.


The statements are misleading, at best, and ignorant at worst.


• The “catch and release” policies have been around since at least the George W. Bush administration. It refers to border patrol agents releasing apprehended low-risk immigrants near the border with an expectation they will appear later in court. Trump signed a cruel executive order in January 2017 to end it, but Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in October that the practice was continuing.

• The reference to “caravans” refers to about 1,500 Central American immigrants traveling together in Mexico as a power-in-numbers strategy in the violent regions. Accounts vary on whether any intend to cross the U.S. border. A story about this aired on the Fox Network’s “Fox & Friends” show Easter morning, which likely prompted the president’s thought.

• New immigrants do not qualify for DACA. That can only be used by youth who arrived before age 16, have lived continuously in the U.S. since June 2007, have a spotless record and are working, attending school or serving in the military.

• DACA was terminated by Trump, not Congress.

• Democrats have been part of Dreamer-related legislation, including at least two proposals in the Senate with bipartisan support, which failed to get 60 votes needed to move forward.

“I never thought I’d ever say that I can’t take the president of the United States seriously, but he keeps going back and forth,” Mazariegos told me. “He needs to stop.”

The U.S. desperately needs immigration reform, and reasonable people need to find common ground. But on this day, when the president was on his way to his own worship service, this was out of line.

Sacred holidays of major faiths ought to be reserved for messages of goodwill and peace.

What would Jesus do?  Check out the Beatitudes as taught during the Sermon on the Mount.  "Blessed are the peacemakers...."