“They’re going to get beaten so badly…”
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/Screenshot/CNN
Despite Democrats’ apparent confidence in their push to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), President Donald Trump predicted that position, along with Democrats’ position on border security, would backfire and cost them future elections.
He made those comments while appearing on Fox News with host Maria Bartiromo, who brought up how Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand called for ICE’s abolition.
“I hope they keep thinking about it, because they’re going to get beaten so badly,” he said.
The president went on to predict that Democrats’ immigration platform, along with Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as prominent voices, would tank their political chances:
“Between Maxine Waters and Nancy Pelosi and getting rid of ICE and having open borders and the biggest thing — you have open borders. All it’s going to do is lead to massive, massive crime. That’s going to be their platform — open borders which equals crime.”
He added that he was happy about that because he didn’t think Democrats would ever “win another election.” By “open borders,” Trump seemed to refer to Democrats’ refusal to back his idea for constructing a southern border wall.
TRUMP on immigration: “You get rid of ICE, you will be afraid to walk out of your house… how about Long Island? They actually liberate towns.”
(FACT CHECK: Not a single town in America has been liberated from MS-13.) pic.twitter.com/yDYhozm1KJ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 1,2018
During his interview, President Trump also praised ICE agents as “incredible patriots” and argued that their and Border Patrol’s absence would result in a “crime-ridden” nation.
“The job they have is so dangerous,” he said, warning that without ICE, people would be “afraid” to even leave their houses.
On Twitter, the president also praised ICE and claimed they liberated towns from MS-13 gang members:
The Democrats are making a strong push to abolish ICE, one of the smartest, toughest and most spirited law enforcement groups of men and women that I have ever seen. I have watched ICE liberate towns from the grasp of MS-13 & clean out the toughest of situations. They are great!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 30,2018
To the great and brave men and women of ICE, do not worry or lose your spirit. You are doing a fantastic job of keeping us safe by eradicating the worst criminal elements. So brave! The radical left Dems want you out. Next it will be all police. Zero chance, It will never happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 30,2018
It’s unclear what exactly Trump meant by “liberate,” but as IJR previously noted, his administration aggressively pursued gang members and immigrants with criminal records.
Sam is a writer with IJR. Prior to joining IJR, Sam wrote for The Washington Free Beacon and Media Research Center. His work has been cited or feature… more
