Peters: Democrats Were ‘Wrong’ On Border Security

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 09/22/2026) Outgoing U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Oakland County) said today that Democrats failed to respond aggressively enough to border security concerns, acknowledging that the party’s handling of the issue contributed to the nation’s political shift to the right.

Asked during a Detroit Economic Club “exit interview” to identify an issue on which his party had been wrong, Peters pointed to border security.

“Well, we were wrong — we’ve gotten better at it — on border security,” Peters said, “We should have done a much better job of that before.”

Peters, who chaired the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee when Democrats controlled the chamber, said the party “should have been more aggressive in that area.”

“That was an unfortunate result that led to the change that we have right now,” he said.

Peters is leaving the Senate in January after two terms. He previously served in the U.S. House. His departure created the open seat being contested by Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed and Republican nominee Mike Rogers.

Peters endorsed U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) during the Democratic primary, which El-Sayed won narrowly. Asked whether he intends to campaign or speak publicly for El-Sayed, Peters responded that he has endorsed the nominee, but did not address whether joint appearances are planned.

Peters said the close primary reflected an ideological divide within the Democratic Party, but argued Democrats must reunite because they cannot win control of Congress without carrying politically competitive states like Michigan.

“The Democratic Party has always been a very big-tent party,” Peters said. “The thing we have to learn is that once we get past the primaries, that we come together and unite.”

Peters said progressive officeholders will need to build relationships with Republicans if they want to accomplish anything in the Senate, where most legislation requires 60 votes.

“The biggest challenge will be to be willing to work with the other side,” he said.

Peters also accused President Donald Trump of attempting to buy votes after being asked about a proposal to provide American adults with $5,000 if Republicans retain control of Congress.

“That is absolutely outrageous,” Peters said. “There are laws on the books. You can’t buy votes. That’s called bribery and buying votes.”

Rather than promise checks, Peters said Trump should end the war with Iran and abandon tariffs that he said are raising gasoline, diesel and consumer prices. He also urged the administration to stop targeting Canada with tariffs.

“They should stop going after the Canadians,” Peters said. “The Canadians are our friend.”

Among Peters’ remaining legislative priorities is extending authorization for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which is scheduled to expire at the end of September. The program has directed billions of federal dollars toward removing toxic contamination, restoring habitat and combating invasive species.

Peters said he is sponsoring legislation extending the program for another five years.

After leaving the Senate, Peters will lead the University of Southern California’s Center for the Political Future and serve as a professor of political science and international relations. He said he plans to help expand the center’s work in Washington, D.C., while exploring partnerships with Michigan universities.

Peters stressed that he and his family are not moving permanently to California.

“We’re not leaving Michigan,” Peters said. “We’re staying in Michigan. I’m a Michigan resident. We’re going to continue to be here.”

He said the new position will allow him to continue promoting bipartisanship while teaching young people who have become discouraged by the nation’s increasingly combative politics.

“What I see a lot of in politics right now is more performative politics as opposed to substance,” Peters said.

A full transcript of the interview can be found here.