Biden takes a chance by striking a deal on border and Ukraine, potentially igniting Democrats' anger

Joe Biden is facing a difficult situation where he must make compromises that might anger his allies and reward his enemies. This predicament comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleads for more military aid from the US, and Biden and Senate Democrats consider how far they are willing to bend to fulfill this wish. Republicans are imposing conditions for Ukraine aid that primarily focus on immigration issues, including border security and changes to the asylum process. The Biden administration wants to maintain flexibility in making exceptions to these rules, but some Democrats strongly oppose such changes. They argue that it is reminiscent of Trump-era policies and criticize Biden for not taking a stronger stand against them. Critics also condemn the closed-door negotiations and argue that immigration should not be treated differently from other liberal priorities. Public opinion polls suggest that a significant number of Americans disapprove of Biden's handling of border security and believe that Trump is better equipped to secure the border. Beto O'Rourke, a former Democratic presidential candidate and representative from Texas, urges Biden to reclaim the moral high ground on immigration by highlighting the cruelty of Trump-era policies. He warns that failing to address the challenges on the border could give Donald Trump an advantage on a national level. While the House of Representatives is on holiday, senators will reconvene next week to negotiate a deal on Ukraine aid and immigration reform. This presents an opportunity for the Biden administration to achieve a foreign policy goal while also addressing a political vulnerability. However, there is a risk of further straining relationships with liberal allies due to ongoing conflicts and previous concessions. Some Democratic representatives, particularly from the Latino community, feel ignored by the administration and fear it will have electoral consequences. Overall, Biden is in a challenging position, and the decisions made next week will determine how he navigates this predicament.