During his recent visit to the U.S. southern border, former President Donald Trump bestowed a new nickname upon Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom, dubbing him “New Scum.”
Trump, addressing the crowd from Eagle Pass, Texas, remarked, “I mean, you look at this governor, ‘New Scum’ from California. Isn’t that his name, ‘New Scum’? What he’s done to California is unbelievable.”
Joining Trump during this visit were Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a fellow Republican, and Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council.
The Context
Trump, who is currently leading in the GOP presidential primary race, has a notorious reputation for coming up with ruthless nicknames for his rivals. On Thursday, he made a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, which coincides with ongoing debates among congressional lawmakers concerning national security and immigration. House Republicans have taken a firm stance against President Joe Biden’s request, leading to a heated discussion on spending measures in these areas.
Biden made a visit to the southern border on Thursday, specifically in Brownsville, Texas. He was accompanied by federal U.S. Border Patrol agents and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. It is worth noting that the president has had numerous clashes with Texas Republicans, particularly Abbott, regarding immigration control.
Newsom, who supports Biden, has had disagreements with Republican leaders regarding immigration matters. The southern border of California has experienced an increase in migrant encounters, but Newsom has adopted a distinct approach compared to his adversaries in tackling this issue. For instance, he expanded healthcare opportunities for undocumented immigrants at the beginning of the year.
What We Know
During his speech, Trump criticized the Biden administration for their handling of the U.S. border, accusing them of allowing the country to be overrun by migrant crime. He also commended the Texas officials, describing them as incredible individuals who have made commendable efforts to control immigration.
“This invasion over the past three years has been led by Biden,” Trump claimed confidently.
According to the former president, Newsom’s initiative to enhance healthcare access for migrants is being criticized. He argued that this effort has led to an influx of people coming to California with the expectation of receiving medical assistance.
“And our soldiers and veterans are not receiving proper care, while individuals who enter our country illegally are,” Trump emphasized.
Views
Critics have slammed Biden for his visit to the border, with Judd, a Texas Republican, arguing that the president’s actions were insufficient and came too late.
According to Judd’s statement on Monday, he emphasized that Biden has consistently claimed that he has taken all necessary measures to ensure border security. However, Judd argued that if this were true, there would be no need for Biden to visit the border at this point.
During the press conference, reporters also questioned Biden about the tragic murder of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was recently discovered deceased in Athens, Georgia. Authorities have charged Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant, in connection with Riley’s death. It has been revealed that Ibarra entered the United States illegally near El Paso, Texas, in September 2022, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
During a press conference on Thursday, a reporter directly asked the president if he believed he held any responsibility in Riley’s unfortunate passing. However, President Biden did not provide a response, leaving uncertainty as to whether he heard the question or not.
During his visit, the president put his attention on the $118 billion border bill, which unfortunately did not pass the Senate recently due to Republican opposition. In an effort to garner support, the president reached out to Trump, who had strongly disagreed with the bipartisan measure, and urged him to join forces in endorsing the bill. The president emphasized, “We can achieve this together.”
What’s Next?
As the United States deals with an unprecedented surge in migrant encounters along its southern border, the immigration policies of both President Biden and former President Trump will remain a key concern for voters leading up to the November presidential election. A recent Gallup poll reveals that a growing number of Americans perceive immigration as a significant threat, with detrimental effects on the country.
According to a recent ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted in mid-January, President Biden’s administration has faced significant criticism regarding its handling of immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. The poll revealed that only 18 percent of respondents approved of the president’s approach, marking the lowest rating on immigration for any president since January 2004, based on ABC News/Washington Post polls.
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