With the illegal immigration crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border having reached critical mass, and with so many unaccompanied minors having been detained by CBP officials, VP Kamala Harris laughing off the idea of her visiting the border region during a press gaggle with reporters.
Moments before boarding Air Force One, Harris was asked if she would be visiting the border, Harris responded “not today” as she laughed.
Harris’ perceived mocking of the situation at the border struck a nerve with Republicans, who took the opportunity to berate the newly-elected vice president.
Texas Land Commissioner George. P. Bush stated that Harris’ laughing off the question was a “slap in the face” to individuals living along the affected border region and that the Biden administration needs to take the ongoing border crisis or “disaster seriously.”
"This is a slap in the face to the border communities that deal with the fallout of this crisis every single day,” stated Commissioner Bush. “This administration needs to take this disaster seriously and work towards a comprehensive solution.”
The White House still refuses to call the border crisis a crisis.
"Children presenting at our border who are fleeing violence, who are fleeing prosecution, who are fleeing terrible situations is not a crisis," said White House Press Secretary Jenn Psaki during a press conference. "We feel it is our responsibility to humanely approach this circumstance and make sure they are treated and put into conditions that are safe."
Earlier, Sen. Ted Cruz (R) penned a letter to the Biden administration demanding that it allow the media to report on and from the government facilities along the border.
“Denying the press the ability to observe, film, and report on the conditions at the border is not openness or transparency — it is hiding the truth from the American people,” he wrote. “The press and the American people deserve more than denials and excuses from a podium. They deserve to see and understand the crisis for themselves with the help of reporters who are free and independent from your administration.”
