In an odd move, President Joe Biden recently accused House Republicans of exacerbating America's ongoing border crisis. Yet as Fox News noted, critics had difficulty taking that claim seriously.
The president asserted in a tweet on Tuesday that the GOP "put out extreme budget proposals that would eliminate funding for over 2,000 border patrol agents – undermining our ability to combat drug trafficking."
What's more, Biden boasted that his "budget keeps our borders secure while expanding legal pathways for migrants seeking asylum."
MAGA House Republicans put out extreme budget proposals that would eliminate funding for over 2,000 border patrol agents – undermining our ability to combat drug trafficking.
My budget keeps our borders secure while expanding legal pathways for migrants seeking asylum. pic.twitter.com/a90LrwAxyF
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 21, 2023
Those words were met with derision from Tommy Pigott, who serves as rapid response director for RNC Research. He demanded to know if the president is "living in an alternate universe."
"Officials say the U.S. does not have operational control of much of the border right now. Cartels do," Pigott continued, adding, "And reminder: Democrats blocked Republicans from hiring 18,000 Border Patrol agents."
Is Biden living in an alternate universe? “Keep our borders secure”?
Officials say the U.S. does not have operational control of much of the border right now. Cartels do.
And reminder: Democrats blocked Republicans from hiring 18,000 Border Patrol agents.
— Tommy Pigott (@TommyPigott) March 21, 2023
Pigott's comments lined up with what Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz told members of the House Homeland Security Committee earlier this month, saying, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lacks "operational control" over America's border with Mexico.
🚨🚨🚨 BREAKING: Border Patrol Chief Ortiz contradicts Secretary Mayorkas and admits the truth:
DHS does NOT have operational control over our southern border. pic.twitter.com/YmpVy0t6c1
— Rep. Mark Green (@RepMarkGreen) March 15, 2023
Author John Hawkins also offered a sarcastic take, saying, "Yes, it must be those Republicans who want unlimited illegal immigration and open borders, not the guy who has been making that happen for his entire presidency."
Yes, it must be those Republicans who want unlimited illegal immigration and open borders, not the guy who has been making that happen for his entire presidency.
— John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) March 21, 2023
A number of Republican lawmakers weighed in as well, including Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, who dismissed Biden's words as being "a total fabrication."
"In your 2024 budget proposal, you call for billion-dollar cuts to border security operations and ICE," Biggs pointed out.
A total fabrication.
In your 2024 budget proposal, you call for billion-dollar cuts to border security operations and ICE.
By the way, it took you 80 years to get that picture. https://t.co/YqLa3ifWbe
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) March 21, 2023
