Strength in Messaging: How the Border Issue Became a Symbol of Executive Power
By Michael Kelman Portney
In recent years, the border has become less about policy specifics and more about the perception of executive strength—or weakness. For many Americans, it wasn’t just the situation at the border that resonated but the contrast in how leaders responded to it. During Trump’s tenure, his administration took high-profile executive actions to address the border, establishing the impression that this was an issue the executive branch could tackle directly. In contrast, Biden’s more restrained approach left room for Republicans to frame the situation as an unchecked crisis, casting doubt on his strength and decisiveness.
Whether or not the border represents an actual, pressing concern for all Americans, Republicans turned it into an effective issue by leveraging the appearance of strong, action-oriented governance. Figures like Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis capitalized on this by taking their own bold actions—like relocating migrants to other parts of the country. While controversial and appalling to some, this strategy undeniably communicated decisiveness and control. It conveyed a willingness to confront a high-stakes issue head-on, reinforcing a narrative that Republicans were prepared to act when the federal government seemed hesitant.
This approach has tapped into something deeper in the American political psyche: the appeal of visible, unapologetic action, even when the measures themselves are divisive. For many, bold action is reassuring, especially in a political landscape where complex issues often seem to linger without resolution. This “action first” approach has allowed Republicans to dominate the messaging around the border, regardless of the nuances or long-term effectiveness of their solutions.
The perception of inaction isn’t limited to the border alone. In many large cities, where homelessness has become an increasingly visible issue, local governments are often seen as reluctant to take strong or decisive measures to address the problem. For residents, the impact is stark—homeless encampments, deteriorating public spaces, and a growing sense of disorder. This lack of a clear and forceful response to the challenges facing urban areas has further contributed to the narrative that certain leaders are unwilling or unable to enact change that aligns with the public’s expectations of safety and order. Bleeding heart liberals want compassionate Solutions, whether proposed Solutions are compassionate or not as another story, but what most people want is the problem out of sight and out of mind.
For many Americans, this inaction represents a broader trend, reinforcing the appeal of leaders who are willing to take assertive, visible steps to address problems head-on. Republicans have successfully framed themselves as the party that doesn’t shy away from tough decisions, creating a contrast with Democrats who may appear hesitant or bogged down in process. This gap in perception can have significant implications, as visible issues like homelessness and border security become potent symbols of either strong or weak governance.
The effectiveness of this strategy highlights a broader challenge for the Democratic Party. While Democrats have often been careful and thoughtful in their approaches to complex issues, this can sometimes come across as overly cautious or even indecisive. The contrast is stark: when Republicans take swift, visible action, it resonates with a segment of the electorate looking for leadership that projects confidence and control, even on issues they may not fully agree with.
Ultimately, the border and urban homelessness issues demonstrate how, in today’s political landscape, perception can be as important as policy. By creating symbols of executive strength out of these issues, Republicans have framed themselves as the party of action. For Democrats, this may mean reconsidering how they project authority and decisiveness on key issues to avoid appearing passive. In a world where bold messaging and direct action often carry more weight than complex policy explanations, the Democrats’ challenge is not only to develop solutions but to communicate them in a way that reassures Americans they are ready and willing to lead.
