Ken Salazar’s Reflections and Political Insights on U.S. Border Policy and Presidential Ambitions

Ken Salazar, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Mexico under President Joe Biden, thought about running for president in 2024. This consideration came after he assessed Biden’s performance in a July 2024 debate, which Salazar viewed negatively, as reported in a book excerpt shared by Politico.

Salazar pushed for a dedicated border czar position early on, advocating that Biden recognize the situation at the U.S. border as a crisis. He noted, “There was a political failure to grasp the reality of the border crisis and its potential impact on Democrats in the 2024 election.” Despite his recommendations, Salazar observed that while officials frequently used the term “crisis,” the White House initially avoided the label. In conversations with Alejandro Mayorkas, the Homeland Security Secretary, Salazar was told, “Ken, I have a lot on my plate already. I’m about to be impeached for all this border stuff. The Republicans have it out for me.”

Although Salazar developed a team and a presidential platform, he did not ultimately pursue a candidacy. He anticipated entering the race if Biden stepped aside, but the Democratic Party unilaterally chose Vice President Kamala Harris as their candidate, bypassing open primaries. Salazar expressed disappointment, calling this decision “a mistake.”

Salazar also critiqued Kamala Harris for her work as the “border czar.” Initially advocating for this role, Salazar felt that Harris was ineffective in managing migration issues. “But sadly, her designation in this position was having no effect on migration flows,” he stated. While tasked with addressing the root causes of migration, Harris struggled to influence the crisis, despite being in a position close to the Oval Office.

Salazar commended Biden’s later decision to tighten the border in 2024 but conceded that it came too late. This measure aligned with American voters’ demands for border action, yet could not alter the narrative dominated by chaotic border images throughout the election’s final stages.

In his book “Borderlands: My Fight For An Inclusive America,” Salazar outlines his “borderlands platform.” This immigration policy emphasizes fixing the broken U.S. immigration system. He has shared this vision with potential Democratic presidential candidates, including Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. Salazar plans to discuss his ideas with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker as well.

Salazar’s ongoing engagement in political discourse highlights the significance of border policy as a vital issue for Democrats moving forward.