The White House accused House Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy of conducting publicity stunts following his recent visit to the southern border amid the border crisis that sparked public criticisms against US President Joe Biden and his administration.
Recently, the White House released an official statement, alleging that the House Republicans’ recent visit to the border was a publicity stunt, demanding the GOP to seek solutions to the ongoing migrant crisis, after millions of illegal immigrants entered into the United States under President Joe Biden’s open border policy.
According to Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, in a statement he released on Wednesday, regarding the trip, “House Republicans should spend less time on partisan publicity stunts and more time working on solutions. Solutions are what President Biden is focused on, and his plan is working. House Republicans would be wise to join him to work together to strengthen our immigration system and fund border security.”
Sams’ statement came after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy led a group of Republicans to the border area of Cochise County, Arizona on Thursday.
Reports revealed that the Republicans would take an aerial tour of the area with agents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
In the report published by Fox News, it was revealed that “McCarthy has made several trips to the border in an effort to combat the migrant crisis, but Thursday’s trip will mark his first since being elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. The speaker will be joined by Reps. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Van Orden.”
White House blasts McCarthy-lead GOP border trip as ‘publicity stunt’ weeks after Biden defended his own visit https://t.co/GZp1BHaCT1— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) February 16, 2023
Following Sams’ controversial statement, Fox News asked the White House if they also viewed Biden’s border visit as a publicity stunt.
“President Biden trip to the border with Texas Democrats was pilloried as a “photo op,” after they reportedly did not visit several highly impacted areas and did not meet with any migrants during the 3-hour visit,” Fox News reported.
In an interview with newly-re-elected RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman claimed that “Just before Biden came here, they started cleaning up these encampments. I mean, that’s just a fact. And they can try and spin it all they want, but the truth is the truth. I hope the press comes and looks at it after he leaves to see what they did for his photo-op.”
Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended Biden, arguing that it was a coincidence.
“[Biden] went to the migrant center, which was a critical place to be when you think about our partners who are helping support migrants on the ground there. There happened to be no migrants at the facility during the time that he visited.” Jean-Pierre explained.
