This leak has nothing to do with whistleblowers, spies, or high-ranking officials who use unsecured telecom connections to discuss top-secret military plans. Today’s news is about a literal leak . . . a leak of water . . . into Donald Trump’s big beautiful Alligator Alcatraz.

It is a well-known fact that it rains a lot in Florida, especially in the summertime when the heat and humidity are already in the danger zone and the afternoon thunderclouds come rolling in like clockwork every day. And yesterday — opening day at the new ICE detention center in the swampland known as the Everglades — was no exception.

By all accounts, it wasn’t a big rain . . . maybe 1/4 inch in total. But reports are that it came down hard for a while, and the tents that are supposed to be constructed to withstand a Category 2 hurricane failed their first test miserably. According to local news reporter Jason Delgado of Spectrum News 13, the water seeped into the tent, onto electrical cables, and around flagpoles. In his video, the rain could be heard clearly hitting the ceiling of the tent, which appeared to rattle as it was struck by the raindrops. [Josh Fiallo, Daily Beast, July 2, 2025.]

The Florida Division of Emergency Management reported that it has taken steps to fix the problem. Spokeswoman Stephanie Hartman said, “Overnight, the vendors went back and tightened any seams at the base of the structure that allowed water intrusion during the heavy storm, which was minimal.” [Id.]

Fine. But that was just a typical summer rain, not a major tropical storm. Hurricane season, which runs through November, is predicted to be an active one this year, and Category 2 resistance is not all that comforting when so many of the storms that hit Florida are Category 3 or more.

Not to mention those wet electrical cables in close proximity to the metal cages . . . excuse me . . . sleeping areas.

From the sound of things as they stand now, this facility wouldn’t pass inspection as an animal shelter, much less a habitat for humans; though in Trump’s estimation, it’s perfect for all of those sub-human “most vicious people on the planet” who will be housed there pending forced deportation to some third-world country.

And anyway, to borrow the words of that other great humanitarian, Senator Mitch McConnell, when asked about the thousands of people in Kentucky who are about to lose their Medicaid coverage . . .

“They’ll get over it.”

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
7/3/25