Bernie Sanders surprised some observers by endorsing strong border enforcement and saying, “Trump did a better job,” while blasting President Biden’s handling of immigration; this article looks at the flip from his past comments, why his praise matters now, and how partisan instincts shape once-clear positions.
Bernie Sanders has long been a predictable figure on the left, advocating policies rooted in democratic socialism and drawing sharp criticism for his lifestyle versus his rhetoric. He has been an easy target for conservatives who point to contradictions in his message and persona. That background makes his recent comments about border security especially notable because they break from his usual posture.
Sen. Bernie Sanders praised President Donald Trump’s immigration policy during a recent appearance on The Tim Dillon Show, saying Trump “did a better job” securing the border than President Biden and urging Democrats to return to enforcement-focused policy.
“So long as we have nation-states, you’ve got to have borders,” Sanders said. “If you don’t have any borders, then you don’t have a nation.”
He added pointedly, “Trump did a better job. I don’t like Trump, you know, but we should have a secure border, and it ain’t that hard to do.”
That quote came on The Tim Dillon Show and immediately grabbed attention because it’s rare to hear Sanders praise a Republican-led policy. The line “So long as we have nation-states, you’ve got to have borders” is basic, commonsense language that cuts across ideological lines. For many conservatives, hearing it from Sanders feels like validation that border control is not a fringe talking point but a governance necessity.
Context matters here. Sanders has, in prior years, voiced skepticism about border crackdowns and even called closures “xenophobic” during the COVID-19 era. Those earlier positions were consistent with a progressive bloc that resists enforcement-heavy approaches and emphasizes humanitarian concerns. Yet political needs and public pressure can nudge even long-standing positions toward pragmatism.
The Biden administration’s record at the border has been widely criticized for chaotic enforcement and policies that critics say incentivize irregular migration. Those problems are now part of mainstream debate and have pushed some on the left to acknowledge practical limits. Sanders’ concession that “Trump did a better job” reflects how bad things have to get before partisans accept policies that once belonged exclusively to the other side.
Politics often forces quick pivots. When public sentiment shifts toward prioritizing security and control, politicians on all sides can realign to avoid being left behind. In Sanders’ case, the lack of an active Democratic election cycle appears to have given him latitude to speak candidly without immediate intra-party blowback.
Still, keep an eye on durability. Political timing matters, and what sounds like an honest admission today can become party theater tomorrow. If primary season heat returns and party leaders mobilize against Trump-style policies, voices like Sanders’ might return to previous talking points to match the dominant Democratic narrative.
For conservatives, the moment is useful because it frames the border debate as one that transcends pure partisan talking points; a vocal progressive admitting Trump’s approach was more effective simplifies messaging for those pushing enforcement and closures. That said, one quote doesn’t erase long histories of disagreement over immigration strategy and goals.
There’s also a practical side: policy success is measurable in results at the border, shifts in migration patterns, and public confidence in enforcement. When a policy produces clear outcomes, even ideological opponents are forced to acknowledge them, at least temporarily. Sanders’ remarks are a case study in how evidence can override pure doctrine—briefly.
Expect the conversation to cycle. As administrations change and campaigns ramp up, positions will be tested again, and party loyalty will likely reassert itself. For now, Sanders’ praise of Trump’s border actions is a headline-making instance of cross-aisle agreement, one that both sides will cite selectively in the months ahead.
The broader takeaway is less about who’s right and more about how political incentives shape public admissions. When governing failures become plain for all to see, even unlikely voices will recognize them aloud, but that recognition rarely lasts if the political wind shifts.
If you want to see Sanders’ full hour-long conversation with Tim Dillon, it remains available to watch in full below for context.
Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.
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