Republican leaders have a dirty little secret — they're actually delighted President Barack Obama used his executive powers to help millions of illegal immigrants, former Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado says.
"Here's the ugliest part of it all, at least from my point-of-view," Tancredo said Friday on "The Steve Malzberg Show" on
Newsmax TV.
"I guarantee you [House Speaker] John Boehner, [Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell and the other Chamber of Commerce Republicans, they breathed a sigh of relief when this happened because they can now thump their chests and pretend like they're outraged.
Story continues below video.
Note: Watch Newsmax TV now on DIRECTV Ch. 349 and DISH Ch. 223
Get Newsmax TV on your cable system – Click Here Now
"As Captain Louis Renault in 'Casablanca' said, "I'm shocked, I'm shocked this is happening....' In fact, they are happy as hell that he is doing this because they can now blame him and say 'Oh gee, he did it, we wish he wouldn't … we'll even sue him.'"
But Tancredo predicts that, in fact, nothing will change.
"They know it and they are just fine with that because they want the same thing. They want those people picking crops, making beds and they want them doing it for less money than what would otherwise be the case," he said.
"This is the dirtiest secret of all. The Republican leadership, not the Republican rank and file, but the Republican leadership is in bed on this. You can take that to the bank."
Obama's plan, which he revealed to the nation on Thursday, eases the threat of deportation for as many 4.7 million immigrants in the United States without legal documentation.
Tancredo — author of
"In Mortal Danger: The Battle for America's Border and Security," published by Cumberland House Publishing — said it is possible the president may take further executive action on immigration, "if there is not enough pushback on this."
But what exactly will the new Republican-led Senate and House do?
"They will thump their chests, gnash their teeth, make all kinds of noises about this being unconstitutional, but what will they do? They will not impeach and they will not shut down the government," Tancredo said.
"When you take those two things off of the table, you do not have very many remedies."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.