North American riot police: Start by arresting P. Diddy!

Chapter 281 The Spark!
While Underwood's new residence is far less grand and imposing than Valentine's luxurious seaside estate, compared to the nouveau riche who made his fortune through inheritance and widowhood, the Secretary of State's home exudes understated taste.

This small villa contains only a few simple modern pieces of furniture, without much ostentatious luxury decoration.

As one of the few people at the pinnacle of American power, Underwood not only wielded immense power, but his wife was also a powerful businesswoman who controlled multiple companies.

He was fully capable of enjoying a life of extravagance, purchasing top-tier mansions and limited-edition sports cars, yet he always restrained this desire.

The reason is as simple as it gets – his heart is consumed by an insatiable thirst for power!

This made him disdain external material enjoyment.

Only victory in political maneuvering can give him real pleasure!

At this moment in the living room, Rorschach stared at Underwood, whose expression remained unchanged, and this was his assessment of him.

This old man is nothing more than a beast completely dominated by the lust for power.

"When was the last time we met?" Underwood broke the silence first, speaking calmly, "It was in Chicago, I think. You came to me with a stack of DVDs showing sex scandals involving cabinet officials, trying to make a deal to protect yourself."

Rorschach sat on the opposite sofa, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Secretary of State, you really have a bad memory. I never intended to make a deal with you. It was you, the whip, who came to me, threatening me with one hand and bribing me with the other, trying to recruit and tame this little cop."

"Police?" Underwood completely ignored the first part of the sentence, only responding to the last part with a mocking sneer: "You still think you're a policeman?"

Rorschach didn't take it to heart, his gaze suddenly becoming profound: "You know what? Over the years, what made me happiest wasn't killing politicians and high-ranking officials, nor launching terrorist attacks that humiliated the Federation, but the days I spent as a policeman."

He reminisced, "All the poor people in Chicago see me as a hero because they know who's protecting them. Those gangsters and drug dealers who bully others tremble at the mere mention of my name, Rorschach Butcher. Good people adore me, bad people fear me. When I'm in a good mood, I treat the homeless to a meal; when I'm in a bad mood, I take it out on a few 'Brother Ni,' and it's all legal! Hahaha."

Underwood listened expressionlessly as Rorschach recounted his days as a police officer in Chicago with great enthusiasm.

Luo Xia spoke at a measured pace, pausing occasionally to reminisce, gesturing with his hands from time to time, his eyes sparkling with nostalgia.

The more Underwood listened, the more incredible it seemed.

He suddenly realized that Rorschach wasn't just making things up to stall for time.

Judging from the other party's sincere tone and expression, this super criminal and terrorist leader who had struck fear into the hearts of the federal government over the past year genuinely missed his time as a police officer.

"In front of hundreds of people from the slums of the South District, I blew that scumbag's head off with a single shot. Not satisfied, I also strangled his brother with my own hands. At the time, I thought I'd definitely be dismissed and investigated for excessive force, but guess what? Hundreds of people marched and protested in front of the police station for me, and in the end, I didn't even take my administrative leave, hahaha!"

"So, do you still want to be a policeman?" Underwood suddenly interrupted Rorschach's recollection, asking directly.

Luo Xia was taken aback by his words, then asked in return, "What do you think?"

Underwood sighed and didn't press the matter further.

Given Rorschach's actions, let alone becoming a policeman, even becoming an ordinary citizen would be an impossible dream.

If he lays down his arms, all federal law enforcement agencies will surely come out in full force, and the military will spare no effort to encircle and suppress him.

"OK, that's enough catching up."

Underwood straightened his tie. "What brings you here? If you're trying to extract state secrets, you've come to the wrong person. I've been busy with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lately and don't have any valuable intelligence to offer."

Luo Xia scoffed.

In the past, when it came to intelligence, they were wary of being detected by the main body of the "machine," so they had to be careful when searching and dared not leave any traces.

Now, they can access all electronic intelligence within the Federation at will, without any scruples, as if they were in an empty field.

Now, almost every move the federal government makes, whether it's congressional debates or military mobilizations, is being closely monitored by Spectre.

[Machine] Based on the behavior patterns of these politicians, formulate precise action plans for Rorschach.

Just like tonight's meeting with Underwood.

“Frank, we’re old friends.” Rorschach leaned forward slightly.

“Friends? You consider me a friend?” Underwood raised an eyebrow and sneered.

“What, you don’t want to be friends with me?” Rorschach asked back.

Just as Underwood was about to retort, he suddenly remembered the fates of Peralli and Old Joe, and immediately fell silent.

He glanced discreetly at the four or five special agents who stood frozen like statues in the living room.

These people, who should have been the elite of the Secret Service, were reduced to puppets the moment they entered, without even touching the hem of Rorschach's clothes.

"Nanobugs. These tiny creatures have taken control of their brain signals, and now they are all in a deep hypnotic state. They can't hear or see anything, and when they wake up, they will forget that they were unconscious. Their consciousness will only be stuck at the moment the door opened."

Rorschach knew that unless he made things clear, the old fox Underwood would never easily reveal the truth.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the Secretary of State's expression immediately softened considerably.

These Secret Service agents are all informants sent by the president to monitor him. If they discover anything unusual, it won't be good for him as the Secretary of State.

Underwood tentatively asked, "It seems that Spectre, having inherited Cobra's legacy, is no longer an ordinary terrorist organization. They can even use high-tech nanobots, which devour metal and gold, to control people. But since you have this ability, why don't you try controlling the president?"

Rorschach chuckled, “Our dear President isn’t as easy to approach as you are. He’s protected by at least a hundred Secret Service agents every time he goes out, and the White House isn’t as easy to infiltrate as your little villa.”

Underwood narrowed his eyes: "So what exactly do you want to talk about after all this trouble you've gone to to find me?"

Rorschach leaned forward: "I heard the president has been having a headache over the immigration bill lately?"

Underwood wasn't surprised that Rorschach knew about it.

Many controversial bills in Congress are first publicized in the media to gauge public opinion and adjust strategies accordingly.

"That's right, our president is the most benevolent president since the founding of America."

Underwood drew out his words in a sarcastic tone, “He believes that anyone who sets foot on American soil, regardless of their status or circumstances, should have the right to live in this free country, receive a work permit, and enjoy welfare benefits.”

"Heh." Rorschach sneered, "What was Congress's reaction?"

"Of course, it's unanimously opposed! No one supported the bill in two consecutive votes. Everyone knows that if it passes, it will definitely incite public outrage." Underwood shrugged.

"So this bill is definitely not going to pass?" Rorschach raised an eyebrow.

Underwood paused for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No, barring any unforeseen circumstances, it will likely be implemented next week."

Before Rorschach could ask further, he explained to himself, "The president has decided to enforce this through an executive order."

"Isn't this unconstitutional? Isn't he afraid of being impeached by the Attorney General and the Supreme Court justices?"

"What's there to be afraid of? Putting aside whether the Attorney General and the Supreme Court Justices will go against him, even if they dare to uphold the law impartially, the President can use his privileges to pardon himself and get away unscathed."

“Wow, what?!” Rorschach was stunned.

What kind of law is this?
Can a president commit a crime, be convicted, and then use his presidential privilege to pardon himself?

Is this what they call the so-called separation of powers?!
What happened to the promised checks and balances on presidential power?
What kind of balance of power is this?!

"You can do that? Isn't he afraid of becoming a laughing stock with the whole world?" Luo Xia raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

Underwood gave him a strange look: "This isn't unheard of in history. After Watergate, Nixon was prepared to pardon himself when he faced impeachment, but he was forced to resign due to the sensitive international situation at the time, allowing his successor to use presidential privileges to pardon him. Do you see anyone now who has nothing better to do than laugh at Nixon?"

"Fine." Rorschach was too lazy to dwell on the Federation's absurd power game any longer.

He cut to the chase: "So, this bill will be passed within a week at the latest?"

"That's right, and it should be implemented in conjunction with the healthcare reform bill."

Underwood scoffed. "These two bills are clearly pandering to the lowest rungs of society, and they'll definitely cause his approval ratings to rebound from rock bottom. I must say, while Barack may be a poor ruler, he's a genius at reaping votes!"

Rorschach stroked his chin thoughtfully.

It is important to note that the "lowest level" mentioned by the other party does not refer to ordinary laborers who work from dawn till dusk.

Unlike other countries, the United States' underclass consists not of laborers, but of social parasites who are idle, lawless, and prone to crime.

Just like the infamous Gallagher family in Chicago.

These people never pay taxes and live off the welfare system.

If the bill is implemented, it will definitely cause social unrest.

“Interesting.” Rorschach suddenly laughed. “I originally wanted you to help push this bill through, but I didn’t expect the president himself to take the risk and force it through.”

"What? You came here for this?" Underwood stood up abruptly, his face full of disbelief.

He had just assumed that Luo Xia, like himself, wanted to prevent the president's approval rating from rebounding, but he hadn't expected that his intentions were completely the opposite.

"You."

Underwood slumped back onto the sofa, "After all, I don't understand politics, and I don't understand the terrifying impact this bill would have if it were implemented."

He held up three fingers: "I can guarantee that there may be opposition in the first year, but as time goes on, coupled with the left-wing propaganda and the gratitude of the grassroots, the president's approval rating will definitely soar, and there will be no more obstacles on the road to re-election!"

Rorschach smiled meaningfully: "Are you so sure the bill will be implemented smoothly?"

"It's a done deal!" Underwood declared firmly.

Rorschach pressed on, “This bill will definitely cause a large number of ordinary people to lose their jobs. Taxes will skyrocket, prices will soar, and public security will deteriorate. Aren’t you afraid that those rednecks from the southern states will storm Capitol Hill?”

The conflict between Californians and immigrants is already at a breaking point; aren't you afraid that they might end up fighting each other in the streets?

"Hahaha"

Underwood shook his head and laughed, "No way. Even if things really get out of hand, we can just let them take to the streets to loot and vandalize and vent their anger. After a few days, a celebrity scandal or sports news story will emerge, and the hype will naturally die down. The public's memory only lasts seven seconds."

After saying that, he sighed and said, "It's a pity that it's too late to stop it now; the tide has turned."

But Rorschach gave a mysterious smile, stood up and said, "Don't worry, things aren't that simple. I bet our president's good days are over in a week."

Underwood frowned, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

He didn't want to know, nor did he want to know, that the other side must have some specific plan to implement after the bill was passed, but for the moment he really couldn't think of anything that could make this bill a target of public criticism against the president.

Luo Xia looked him over again, and before leaving, he suddenly asked, "There's something I've always been curious about."

“What?” Underwood looked up at him.

"You know perfectly well that these Secret Service agents were sent by the president to monitor you, and that he has long suspected you and I have been in contact. And yet, you still dare to continue contacting me?"

Underwood smiled calmly, his eyes growing cold.

Instead of answering directly, he told a story: "When I was thirteen, I caught my father putting a hunting rifle into his mouth in the barn. At that time, he was heavily in debt and was being chased by his enemies every day. He wanted to end his suffering by dying."

He beckoned to me and said, 'Come here, Frank, help Dad pull the trigger!'

"This coward doesn't even have the courage to commit suicide; he actually made his son do it."

"At that moment, I hesitated, turned around and ran, not daring to look back."

"For the next seven years, my father lived a life worse than death, and my mother and I lived in even greater torment."

The old man took a deep drag on his cigarette, his eyes sharpening through the smoke: "That was the last time I hesitated in my life, and the last time I showed weakness. From that day on, I swore that if I was going to do something, I would do it thoroughly!"

Luo Xia gave him a deep look: "At least for now, we have the same goal, so you have no reason to hesitate."

".Maybe."

Underwood slowly exhaled a smoke ring, gazing at the empty living room.

Luo Xia, who was standing there, had vanished without a trace, just as he had come and gone without a trace.

Not long after, the unconscious special agents behind him suddenly woke up. As if nothing had happened, they nodded to him and returned to the door to continue their guard duty.

The next morning.

Contrary to his usual practice, Underwood began lobbying Congress, doing everything he could to help the president pass the bill.

However, even with his political skills and the connections and prestige he had built up in Congress over the years, he could not turn the tide, and the opposition remained strong.

After all, he doesn't have sole authority in Congress; the majority party is with the Elephant Party.

Two days later, realizing that relying on Congress was no longer a realistic option, the president finally lost his temper and, without waiting for a congressional vote, forcibly implemented the plan through an executive order.

He held a press conference in the White House Rose Garden, announcing his decision with a solemn expression and a firm, unquestionable tone.

As soon as the news came out, the whole country was in an uproar.

The media is scrambling to report on the story, the White House spokesperson is overwhelmed, and the public is buzzing with discussion!

The entire nation was abuzz with one piece of news—

The Immigration Reform Act will be officially implemented in three days!

(End of this chapter)