MONTGOMERY COUNTY — Cheryl Riley came out swinging in support of Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler and other Maryland sheriffs challenging restrictions on cooperation with ICE, immediately creating the one thing Jamie Raskin fears most:

A political argument that cannot be solved by standing behind a lectern and citing the Constitution until everyone forgets what the original question was.

Riley blasted Maryland’s sanctuary-style policies and accused Raskin of helping create an immigration system that puts ideology ahead of public safety.

Raskin’s office was reportedly preparing a response titled:

“Actually, If You Read Federalist Paper No. 78 While Standing on One Foot, Crime Becomes Nuanced.”

For nearly a decade, Raskin has represented Maryland’s 8th District with the tireless energy of a substitute professor who discovers five minutes before class that somebody disagreed with him on Facebook.

Ask about taxes?

Constitutional crisis.

Ask about crime?

Threat to democracy.

Ask why local police shouldn’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities when dealing with dangerous offenders?

Suddenly everybody needs a 73-slide seminar.

The man doesn’t answer questions.

He filibusters oxygen.

Riley’s message was considerably simpler:

Maybe cops should be allowed to help catch dangerous people.

Wild concept.

Apparently Montgomery County requires six attorneys, three nonprofits, an equity assessment and a county council hearing before determining whether the guy already wanted by federal authorities should perhaps not be released directly back into the community with bus fare.

Raskin, meanwhile, has mastered the remarkable political skill of making every issue about Donald Trump, even if the original topic was potholes.

Sheriff: “We need better cooperation with ICE.”

Raskin:

“January 6.”

Resident: “My taxes went up.”

Raskin:

“January 6.”

Cat knocks over garbage can.

Raskin, appearing on MSNBC seven minutes later:

“This is precisely the authoritarian threat I’ve been warning about.”

At some point you begin wondering whether Raskin’s congressional office has only one button.

And it says DEMOCRACY IN DANGER.

Riley says voters should finally replace him.

Which would be devastating for cable television producers, constitutional-law panel discussions, and anyone currently employed manufacturing emergency chyron graphics.

Montgomery County residents, however, might discover something extraordinary:

A congressional representative capable of discussing Maryland without first taking a twelve-minute scenic detour through Trump, fascism, insurrection, constitutional collapse and whatever book Raskin happens to be promoting that afternoon.

From my dumpster, the choice appears fairly straightforward.

One side says police should cooperate when dangerous offenders are involved.

The other side will explain for approximately 8,000 words why that sentence requires historical context.

I’m a stray cat. I eat unidentified meat behind Royal Farms.

Even I know when somebody is burying the litter.