Former GOP Leader Michael Steele Delivers Scathing Prediction for Trump's State of the Union
In a striking commentary, former Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele issued a harsh forecast for President Donald Trump's upcoming State of the Union address, anticipating a speech riddled with falsehoods and unwavering applause from Republican lawmakers.
Steele's Blunt Assessment: "Lies" and "Little Seals"
During a discussion on his show "Weeknight," Steele and his co-hosts addressed explosive testimony from Ryan Schwank, a former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement instructor. Schwank testified that ICE is "lying to Congress and the American people" about its training protocols.
Steele did not mince words, stating, "The president tomorrow is going to get up on the podium in the well of the Congress, and he's going to lie directly to the American people. And Republicans will sit there and applaud, like little seals, every lie that comes out of his mouth."
He emphasized the urgency of countering this narrative, adding, "You cannot allow the lies to set in any more than they already have. They just can't."
Senator Blumenthal Joins the Critique Amid ICE Controversy
Steele was joined by Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, who co-hosted the congressional forum where Schwank testified. The former ICE instructor described the agency's training program as "deficient, defective and broken" and warned it "will get people killed."
Blumenthal's office has obtained internal documents indicating ICE plans to train nearly 4,000 new officers this year, despite eliminating over a dozen exams, reducing class content, and cutting training hours to historic lows.
Steele posed a critical question: "So how do we help the American people understand what they're hearing tomorrow night is a crock, from a man who has a vested interest in selling crockery to the American people?"
Blumenthal responded with frustration, saying, "I just want to tell you, every day, I am angry and frustrated beyond words by this president. And I'm using every tool, and so are my colleagues, to fight back. I am going to come out of that chamber tomorrow and I'm going to say exactly what I feel."
Republican Loyalty and Trump's Precarious Position
Despite some recent actions, such as relief over Supreme Court rulings on tariffs and support for transparency acts, most Republicans have shown steadfast loyalty to Trump. However, the State of the Union arrives at a challenging moment for the president.
A recent Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll reveals Trump's disapproval rating is at a five-year high. CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten noted Trump has a "considerably lower" net approval rating than any predecessor this century.
Immigration policies appear central to these figures. Trump's deployment of federal agents led to multiple U.S. citizen deaths last month, and a national NPR/PBS News/Marist survey found 65% of respondents believe ICE has gone too far.
Blumenthal Condemns Administration's "Untruths"
Blumenthal condemned the administration's handling of ICE, calling it "disgraceful and shameful" to continue telling "untruths to the American people." He argued that the documents and testimony present a clear, alarming picture, stating, "They're not rogue agents. They're acting under orders."
This controversy sets a tense backdrop for Trump's address, highlighting deep political divisions and concerns over governmental integrity.
