The Stephen A. Smith Show – Episode Summary: "Stephen A's Take: Biden Pardon People | Trump Ended Migrants Seeking Asylum in the U.S."

Release Date: January 22, 2025

In this thought-provoking episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves deep into the intertwined immigration policies of recent U.S. administrations, examining the impacts of President Donald Trump's abrupt termination of the CBP1 program and President Joe Biden's extensive use of pardons. Smith offers his unfiltered perspectives, critically analyzing the actions and motivations behind these significant political moves while addressing broader societal and systemic issues.

1. Trump's Termination of the CBP1 Program

Timestamp: [01:04]

Stephen A. Smith begins by addressing the immediate and devastating effects of President Donald Trump's decision to discontinue the CBP1 app, a tool that facilitated the legal entry of nearly one million migrants into the United States by granting them work eligibility. Smith highlights the human toll of this abrupt policy shift:

"You’re going to see an abundance of Mexican citizens crying... you really got to question their humanity." (01:04)

Smith criticizes supporters of Trump's decision who express joy over the termination, labeling their reactions as a lack of humanity in the face of migrants' suffering. He emphasizes the necessity of this "cruel" action to curb illegal immigration, arguing that open borders have led to significant economic strain:

"That's cruel. This is so unfortunate, this is so sad. But necessary." (03:30)

2. Biden's Pardons and Immigration Approach

Timestamp: [04:48]

Transitioning to President Joe Biden's administration, Smith scrutinizes Biden's approach to immigration and justice, particularly his pardoning of over 2,500 individuals for nonviolent offenses shortly after taking office. He connects this to the broader issue of open borders implemented by Biden:

"Joe Biden... pardoning or granting clemency to over 2500 people for nonviolent offenses... if you didn’t have open borders your first week on the job in 2021." (04:48)

Smith argues that Biden's policies have contributed to the current challenges at the U.S. borders, suggesting that without such leniency, the situation might not have deteriorated to its present state.

3. Comparative Analysis: Trump, Biden, and Obama on Immigration and Law Enforcement

Timestamp: [05:27 – 06:15]

Smith provides a comparative analysis of the immigration policies across different administrations. He acknowledges that while both Trump and Obama took tough stances on immigration, Trump's efforts were overshadowed by Obama's prior actions as "the deporter in chief." Smith contends that Obama quietly enforced deportation policies without the publicity Trump sought:

"Barack Obama... was the deporter in chief... he didn't allow folks to come en masse into our country." (05:02)

He points out that despite Trump's aggressive rhetoric and actions, such as building a border wall (albeit only 2% completion), the groundwork laid by previous administrations made it challenging for Trump to fully realize his campaign promises.

4. Systemic Racism and Policies Affecting Minorities

Timestamp: [08:00 – 11:31]

Smith shifts focus to systemic racism and its interplay with political policies. He criticizes both Trump's and Biden's administrations for actions that adversely affect minority communities. Addressing social issues, he highlights how Biden's policies, including pardons, have disproportionately impacted Black communities:

"He made sure he... pardon or granting clemency to over 2500 people... not to mention all of his family members." (04:54)

Further, Smith discusses the historical context of systemic racism, referencing Joe Biden's past associations and the influence of the Congressional Black Caucus on his policies:

"Gotta bring that up... How the Congressional Black Caucus has something to do with persuading Joe Biden..." (10:40)

He also touches upon the inconsistent enforcement of policies related to transgender rights and the broader implications for societal stability:

"Woke culture didn't exist where people had to make sure they echoed the right pronoun... considered to be transphobic." (13:20)

5. Media Control and Critique of Progressive Narratives

Timestamp: [12:07 – 14:34]

Addressing concerns about media influence, Smith critiques progressive figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), interpreting her statements as attempts to control media narratives and suppress dissenting viewpoints:

"AOC... Republicans really model themselves after Orban's Hungary... control media and companies in the United States." (12:24)

He argues that the left employs tactics to dictate social narratives, leading to a polarized society where conservatives are unfairly labeled as extremists:

"Republicans that we need to be worried about, but not y'all... Oh, my goodness. It would never be you." (14:18)

6. Economic Implications of Immigration and Federal Policies

Timestamp: [16:51 – 20:30]

Smith delves into the economic ramifications of immigration policies, criticizing the allocation of federal funds. He outlines how resources are diverted to address immigration-related issues at the expense of essential services for American citizens:

"We have enough money to let in 14 million immigrants illegally... We got enough money to throw billions to Ukraine." (16:51)

Further, he discusses the systemic barriers faced by minorities in the economic landscape, emphasizing the need for individuals to navigate a rigged system dominated by white power brokers:

"The system is rigged... power brokers that be, almost all of whom are white... designed to make sure they're going to get theirs." (18:38)

7. Conclusion: A Call for Independence and Systemic Change

Timestamp: [20:04 – End]

In his concluding remarks, Smith calls for independence from the entrenched political dichotomy between the left and the right. He urges listeners to prioritize personal and national well-being over partisan conflicts:

"Independence is the way to go. The hell with the right and the left. Do what's best for you and do what's best for this country." (21:00)

Smith emphasizes the necessity of moving beyond toxic political narratives to forge a path that genuinely serves the interests of the American populace.

Notable Quotes:

• On the Humanity of Migrants: "Anybody who speaks on this subject in favor of Donald Trump's decision with glee... you really, really need to question their humanity." (03:30)

• On Open Borders Impact: "We got enough money to let in 14 million immigrants illegally... but we don't have enough money to address American needs." (16:51)

• On Systemic Racism: "Black people make up nearly 14% of this population... more important than issues pertaining to black people. It seemed." (16:24)

Final Thoughts:

Stephen A. Smith delivers a compelling critique of recent immigration policies and their broader societal implications. By juxtaposing actions of the Trump and Biden administrations, he underscores the complexities of immigration reform, systemic racism, and political polarization in the United States. His call for independence from partisan strife resonates as a plea for more nuanced and effective governance that prioritizes the nation's true needs over political agendas.

For listeners seeking an in-depth analysis of U.S. immigration policies and their societal impacts, this episode offers valuable insights and unfiltered opinions that challenge conventional narratives.