The Sicario Doctrine

The killing of El Mencho proves life has caught up with fiction. The chaos that will follow may be worse than anything Hollywood imagined.

Had the Biden administration taken lessons from Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018), a crime thriller directed by Stefano Sollima and written by Taylor Sheridan, America would not be where it is today.

The Trump administration appears to be following fictional advice verbatim to design and execute government policy. In an earlier instance, our columnist noted in his Substack piece in October how many elements of President Trump's campaign against narco traffickers followed the storyline in Frederick Forsyth's novel Cobra.

The Sicario sequel follows federal agent Matt Graver (Josh Brolin), a no-nonsense CIA operative, who leads a dangerous covert operation along the U.S.-Mexico border. It explores the cyclical nature of violence, the ethical compromises made for national security, and the human cost of the war on drugs and illegal immigration.

Just a few minutes into the film, the Secretary of Defense invites Graver to attend a meeting with his senior military brass. Though filmed eight years ago, the movie uncannily captures the ground realities of present-day America and drills down into the border problem.

Unknown military officer: What do you think is the most valuable commodity that cartels move across our borders?

Graver: Twenty years ago, cocaine. Today, I would have to say people. It's a resource they don't have to cultivate or process. They don't make it across, they can pay it across again at three times the price of a kilo.

Pause.

Secretary of Defense: How would you define terrorism, Mr. Graver?

Graver: I think that's your job, sir.

SecDef: The current definition is any individual or group that uses violence to achieve a political goal. The administration believes that the drug cartels now fit that definition.

Another officer: Next week, the president is adding a list of drug cartels to the list of terrorist organizations. You can understand how that will expand our ability to combat them.

As early as March–April 2023, a national TIPP Poll (n=1,414, ±2.8) found 74% of Americans supported designating fentanyl-smuggling cartels as foreign terrorist organizations — including strong bipartisan majorities.

The appetite for a tougher designation did not emerge overnight.

As if to acknowledge the movie's scenes, the Border Patrol Union, representing frontline agents keeping our borders safe, issued a statement today about how terrible things were under Biden and how much better they are now.

For the entire 4 years of the Biden administration's destructive term, his team allowed unfettered access and ceded complete control of our border to the Mexican cartels, so it's no surprise to anyone that the cartels were able to obtain the military-grade weapons & equipment that they currently possess.

The amount of money that Biden and Border "Czar" Kamala Harris allowed the cartels to earn by encouraging (and facilitating) the unprecedented invasion at our borders is staggering. It has allowed them to strengthen themselves with members and resources that rival foreign militaries....

We have the world's BEST military and border security agency (USBP) staffed by patriots who are deployed to protect & secure our borders. The chaos caused by Biden on the border extended into the interior of our great country, which is why we will continue the largest deportation operation in the history of this country!

Millions of people from around the world were allowed in, many of whom were already criminals and who have gone on to commit horrendous crimes against our citizens, but their days are numbered!

What happened at the border under the previous administration should NEVER be allowed to happen again. We thank President Trump for his strength and unwavering commitment to protect this great nation and keep Americans safe!

The BPU's statement was a chilling takedown of the Left's war on ICE and the Trump administration's relentless war on immigration. It is unconscionable that, although ICE is fully funded, the Left has decided to shut down agencies within the Department of Homeland Security that have little to do with ICE, such as the Federal Emergency Management Administration or the TSA.

Press reports are incessant about the administration's aggressive enforcement tactics. But the liberal media has never acknowledged how utterly irresponsible the Biden administration was when it embraced an open-door policy, which brought in more than 19 million unvetted illegal aliens into the United States.

When President Trump addresses Congress today for the annual ceremonial State of the Union, several Democrats have announced they will boycott the event. And we can expect those who remain in the august House chamber to either boo the president when he mentions immigration enforcement or remain silent.

Perhaps these liberals should watch "Sicario: Day of the Soldado" before they appear on Capitol Hill and get educated about the difficult problem Trump has taken on, largely to address the Biden administration's recklessness.

👉 Show & Tell 🔥 The Signals

I. Patriotism Gap Widens By Party

Survey data tracking attitudes since 2001 show Republicans consistently report high levels of pride in being American, while Democratic pride has fluctuated more sharply in recent years. The latest readings show a pronounced partisan gap in the share saying they are “extremely” or “very” proud.

II. College Degree Rates Vary Sharply By Religion

Educational attainment differs significantly across religious groups in the U.S. Roughly 70% of Hindus and 67% of Episcopalians hold four-year degrees, compared with about 35% of Catholics and 29% of Evangelicals. The national average stands near 35%.

III. Higher Net Worth Linked To Lower Divorce Risk

Data on Americans born in the late 1950s and early 1960s suggest that as household net worth rises, the probability of divorce in the following year declines. Couples with minimal assets show the highest predicted divorce risk, while wealthier households exhibit more stability.

With Shaky Reasoning, Trump Weighs Limited Initial Strike On Iran To Force A Deal—Tyler Durden, Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity

Court Delivers Stunning Blow To Newsom’s Anti-ICE Law—Fred Lucas, The Daily Signal

America Sees A Huge Decline In Crime Thanks To Trump And Republicans— Steve Marshall, The Daily Signal

Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs Core To Trump Economic Agenda—Fred Lucas, The Daily Signal

Trump Announces Alternative Tariff Plan After Supreme Court Ruling—Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell, The Daily Signal

How A Nonprofit That Helps 15-Year-Old Girls Obtain Abortion Pills Found Itself In The Crosshairs Of South Dakota—Virginia Grace McKinnon, The Daily Signal

The Origins of Myanmar’s Coup Culture And Military Dictatorship—Hein Htet Kyaw, Mises Wire

Special Election To Replace Greene May Test Trump’s Grip On Georgia GOP—Reagan Campbell, The Daily Signal

📊 Market Mood — Tuesday, February 24, 2026

🟩 Futures Steady as AI Anxiety Lingers
U.S. futures hover near flat as concerns over AI-driven disruption continue to pressure tech and software stocks.

🟧 Trump’s 10% Global Tariffs Take Effect
New temporary tariffs begin under Section 122, renewing trade uncertainty as markets await clarity on a possible 15% hike.

🟦 Earnings Spotlight: Nvidia & Home Depot
Investors brace for key results that could test AI optimism and gauge consumer housing demand.

🟨 Oil Near Multi-Month Highs Before Iran Talks
Crude prices hold firm ahead of fresh U.S.–Iran negotiations, keeping supply risk premiums elevated.

🗓️ Key Economic Events — Tuesday, February 24, 2026

🟦 10:00 AM — CB Consumer Confidence (February)
Measures household sentiment on jobs, income, and spending — a key indicator for consumer-driven growth.

🟧 9:00 PM — President Trump Speaks
Markets may react to comments on trade, tariffs, or economic policy direction.