In a strategic move ahead of their upcoming debate, the Trump campaign launched a blistering critique of President Joe Biden’s handling of immigration at the U.S. southern border. Dubbed “ICYMI – Biden Lies: Border Edition,” the campaign’s document meticulously dissects what they perceive as five major falsehoods perpetuated by the Biden administration since taking office.
Firstly, the campaign disputes Biden’s assertion that the border is secure, presenting data from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Agency to counter this claim. They argue that the influx of illegal crossings surged immediately after Biden assumed office, leading to a rise in suspected terrorist entries, significant drug trafficking, and an increase in crimes committed by undocumented individuals within the United States.
Secondly, the Trump campaign challenges Biden’s repeated blame on Trump and Republicans for the lack of border security. They highlight Biden’s extensive use of executive actions during his initial days in office to dismantle previous border policies established by Trump, implying his own contributions to the current situation.
Thirdly, the document disputes Biden’s assertion that border crises are an annual occurrence, pointing out a sharp increase in illegal entries since his inauguration, totaling nearly 7 million individuals.
Fourthly, the campaign criticizes Biden’s claim that his administration is striving for a safe, orderly, and humane border. They argue that Biden’s policies have inadvertently empowered drug cartels and human traffickers due to lax enforcement, resulting in dire consequences for migrants, particularly unaccompanied children who, they allege, have been inadequately accounted for under Biden’s watch.
Lastly, the Trump campaign accuses Biden of repeatedly misleading the public by suggesting he has exhausted efforts to secure the border. They counter by highlighting instances where Biden obstructed comprehensive border security legislation passed by House Republicans.
The release of this document precedes the first scheduled debate between Trump and Biden, set to take place in Atlanta and moderated by CNN. This preemptive strike sets the stage for a contentious debate on immigration policy, likely to be a focal point of their upcoming clash.