SouthernWorldwide.com – James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Texas, has sharply criticized former President Joe Biden’s open border policies. This shift in stance comes as Talarico navigates past comments and faces scrutiny over his perceived radicalism in a predominantly Republican state.
In a recent podcast interview on “Cogdell Law Uncensored,” Talarico significantly hardened his position on border security. He explicitly distanced himself from the former president’s approach to immigration.
Talarico, a member of the Texas legislature, has a history of progressive stances. These include calls to dismantle Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE), which he has previously labeled as “secret police.” He also once described the border as a “welcome mat” for undocumented immigrants.
He is now the Democratic candidate challenging Trump-backed Republican Ken Paxton for a Senate seat in the upcoming November elections. This race is taking place in Texas, the most populous U.S. state that also experiences significant levels of illegal immigration.
JAMES TALARICO SAYS BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS CONVINCED BORDER SECURITY WAS ‘RACIST’
“I called out Joe Biden for failing to secure our southern border, and I received a lot of backlash from my own party for that,” Talarico told host and attorney Dan Cogdell. “But I remember speaking with colleagues in the legislature who represent border communities, and they shared with me the immense chaos caused by President Biden’s policies.”
These more moderate immigration views and public criticisms of Biden’s border policies emerged after Talarico announced his candidacy for the Senate. This strategic shift is seen as an attempt to appeal to a broader electorate in Texas.
During the previous administration, millions of undocumented individuals entered the United States undetected, a period during which Talarico served in the Texas House of Representatives.
Talarico articulated his new position on the podcast: “We, the Democratic Party, should be about making government work for the people. Our immigration system is a prime example of government failing to serve its citizens. Therefore, I am a border security Democrat. I believe we need a sensible, orderly process to ensure we know who is entering our country.”
Despite his current emphasis on border security, Talarico has a documented history of strong criticism towards immigration enforcement. He has previously accused ICE of “terrorizing our country” and urged Americans to “stand up and fight back.” In 2019, he criticized Texas Republicans for passing an “anti-immigrant bill” that allocated funds for President Donald Trump’s border wall project.
TEXAS DEM TALARICO’S ‘CULTURE OF VIOLENCE’ REMARKS RESURFACE AS HE DENIES DEFUND POLICE TIES
However, in his recent podcast appearance, Talarico stressed the importance of public safety. “But I also believe we need to keep out individuals who intend to cause us harm, and public safety is the most critical function of government,” he stated.
Under the Trump administration, ICE focused on apprehending and deporting individuals deemed “the worst of the worst” among undocumented immigrants, particularly those with violent criminal histories.
The campaign’s narrative suggests a broader failure by both parties on immigration. “Both parties have failed us on the issue of immigration, so James is running for Senate to keep our country safe by deporting criminals instead of hunting down moms, babies, and small business owners who have been contributing to our economy for decades.”
In his conversation with Cogdell, Talarico also presented himself as a defender of the Second Amendment, while simultaneously advocating for stringent gun control measures. This dual stance reflects an attempt to bridge different viewpoints on the issue.
TEXAS DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATES SIDESTEP ISLAMIC TERRORISM CONCERNS FOLLOWING DEADLY AUSTIN ATTACK
“I am a believer in the Second Amendment. I do not pick and choose between the Bill of Rights. I believe in the Second Amendment just as much as I believe in the First,” Talarico asserted. “We have the right to bear arms to protect ourselves and our families. We have the right to own weapons for sport or hunting, but like any freedom in the Bill of Rights, it is not absolute.”
He further elaborated on his position: “We must keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals. We need to ensure we have safe storage laws and background checks to keep everyone safe.”
During the discussion, Talarico positioned himself as a moderate Democrat. He criticized those on the political left who seek to “take away people’s guns” and those on the political right who oppose any form of regulation.
MS NOW ANALYST ADMITS TALARICO ‘NOT A MODERATE,’ HAS PROGRESSIVE VIEWS LIKE CROCKETT
However, this moderate positioning contrasts with his past statements. Just a few months prior, Talarico expressed support for “red flag laws,” which permit judges to order the confiscation of firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. He has also previously accused Republicans of valuing guns more than children.
“You cannot be the party of freedom and control women’s bodies,” he stated at a 2024 event with the Travis County Democratic Party. “You cannot be the party of family and love your guns more than our kids. You cannot be the party of faith and worship at the feet of Donald Trump.”
A spokesperson, Ennis, commented on Talarico’s stance, saying, “The candidate has always believed, like the vast majority of Texans, that we must protect the Second Amendment while also enacting popular, common-sense measures like universal background checks that keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals.”
MARK HALPERIN: IS DEMOCRAT JAMES TALARICO THE REAL DEAL — OR BETO 2.0 HEADED FOR A TEXAS FLOP?
Talarico has also distanced himself from child sex change surgeries, often referred to as “gender-affirming care.” He stated that he does not support these procedures, despite facing criticism for his past remarks concerning children who identify with a gender different from their biological sex.
“I oppose gender reassignment surgeries for minors,” he told Cogdell, suggesting that “the people in power” are attempting to divert attention from “corruption in our government.”
“So they’re going to use a tried and true playbook to get out of this,” he continued. “Distraction and division. That is how corrupt public officials stay in power.”
‘GOD IS NON-BINARY’: TEXAS DEM NOMINEE TALARICO’S PAST REMARKS ON ABORTION, RACE AND GENDER DRAW SCRUTINY
Talarico’s strong support for transgender children has drawn significant attention since he entered the national political arena. He has repeatedly expressed his affection for them, including in a 2023 podcast where he was asked to name something he loved besides friends and family.
“I love, I’m just saying this because it’s all on my mind, the trans children who showed up yesterday at the state capitol to advocate for their humanity,” he said on the Superbloom Podcast. At the time, he had voted against a state bill that sought to ban cross-sex hormones for minors.
In 2023, Talarico also stated on the Texas House floor, according to the Houston Chronicle, “I just want to say, I love you and so do a lot of people in this room, and so do a lot of people around this big state. I know it may not seem like it tonight, but you are loved beyond measure.”
Ennis clarified Talarico’s position: “James opposes gender reassignment surgery for minors. While billionaire-bought politicians like Ken Paxton spread lies to divide Texans, James will continue to stand up against both political parties to fix this broken, corrupt political system and support Texas families.”
