Staff Reports
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) slammed Democrat President Joe Biden’s recent speech in which he blamed former President Donald Trump and “MAGA Republicans” for the border crisis that Biden himself created. Johnson called Biden’s speech “offensive” and argued that it’s unfair for Biden to shift the blame to Republicans when he is the one responsible for the current crisis at the border. Johnson pointed out that the administration’s handling of the border has very low approval ratings and emphasized that Biden needs to take responsibility and address the border crisis instead of blaming others.
Exclusive — Speaker Mike Johnson: Biden Speech Blaming Trump, ‘MAGA Republicans’ for Border Was ‘Offensive’ https://t.co/Nt4meMVIyY
— Wendy Kortepeter (@WKortepeter) February 8, 2024
Biden’s comments came after Johnson played a role in opposing a Senate funding package that included aid for Ukraine and Israel along with immigration provisions. According to Johnson, the package was “dead on arrival” and even worse than expected. This opposition led Senate Republicans to back away from the bill, as they were unable to secure enough votes to advance the legislation. Johnson dismissed Biden’s criticism of Republicans and Trump, stressing that the blame lies squarely on Biden’s shoulders.
Johnson also revealed that Biden has privately acknowledged his executive authority to address the border crisis but has refused to take the necessary actions. Johnson accused the Biden administration of intentionally causing the crisis by implementing numerous executive actions to undermine border security from the very beginning of Biden’s presidency. He argued that Biden’s actions, such as halting the border wall construction and announcing a deportation ban, have only worsened the situation at the border.
In response to Biden’s speech, Johnson highlighted the importance of border security and its impact on the upcoming presidential election. He firmly believes that the 2024 election will serve as a referendum on border security, with a vote for Biden equating to support for open borders and a vote for Trump representing a commitment to secure borders. Additionally, Johnson emphasized the broader implications of national security, citing concerns about projecting weakness on the world stage and the need for a strong foreign policy.
Despite facing setbacks, such as the failed impeachment vote of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Johnson remains determined to hold the Biden administration accountable. He pledged to continue the fight for border security and emphasized the urgency of addressing the crisis. Johnson asserted that Mayorkas is the worst cabinet secretary in American history and vowed to press forward with impeachment proceedings, emphasizing the impact of Mayorkas’s leadership on the country.
Overall, Johnson’s outspoken criticism of Biden’s handling of the border crisis and his commitment to addressing the issue align with conservative principles and highlight the contentious nature of immigration policy within the current political landscape.
