Well this is weird….apparently, a top Democrat is now pushing back and siding with the truth for once. Will wonders never cease?
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) is now pushing back against the recent criticism of U.S.Border Patrol agents who rode on horseback to force those Hatian asylum seekers out of Del Rio, Texas after this border town had become overwhelmed with illegal aliens in a matter of days last September.
Cuellar appeared on CNN on Tuesday and disputed these false narratives that had emerged from that inaccurate news report claiming that an agent had swung a “whip” while charging with his horse toward these illegal asylum seekers. This misinformation was amplified by several of his fellow Democrats and possibly further exaggerating it with the help of CNN anchor Victor Blackwell, who also said on the air, no less, that the agent “appears to use what looks like a rope or a lasso” while referring to a photograph taken during this particular encounter.
âWell, you know, certainly, we got to make sure we treat all the immigrants with respect and dignity,â Cuellar said. âBut I will say this, Border Patrol has had those horse brigades for a while, theyâve had them for a while, number one. Number two, they donât carry whips. And they do not carry lassos. I think the picture youâre talking about, at least the one Iâve seen is the rein, the reins of the horses.â
Of course, there is a lot of misinformation out there, and Cuellar was quick to point out that if there is indeed a problem with the agent’s conduct, then they should look into it but we also shouldn’t “paint the Border Patrol with that same type of paintbrush.â
âBut again, thatâs not a whip, that is not a lasso,â Cuellar added later. âThey do not carry that. That seems to be the reins from the horse itself.â
Representative Cuelllar later went on to correct a CNN host who is upset about the border agents being on horseback: “The picture you’re talking about, at least the one I’ve seen, is the rein, the rein of the horse ⌠What are they supposed to do, just stand there and let everybody come in?”
TRANSCRIPT:
VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: Let me ask you about some of the images weâre seeing of border guards on horseback chasing or charging migrants on these horses. At least one appears to use what looks like a rope or lasso. These are Haitians who have crossed into Mexico to buy food and ice because thatâs running out under the bridge and then cross back. Whatâs your reaction to what youâre seeing here?
REP. HENRY CUELLAR (D-TX): Well, you know, certainly, we got to make sure we treat all the immigrants with respect and dignity. But I will say this, Border Patrol has had those horse brigades for a while, theyâve had them for a while, number one. Number two, they donât carry whips. And they do not carry lassos. I think the picture youâre talking about, at least the one Iâve seen is the rein, the rein of the horses.
BLACKWELL: And should those be used? Should those be used should even if it is a rein?
CUELLAR: Well, again, if there was a problem, it should be investigated. And I think thatâs it, but we cannot paint the Border Patrol with that same type of paintbrush. Look, you know, what are they supposed to do? Just stand there and let everybody come in? You know, theyâre supposed to be enforcing the law, but again, as to how you enforce the law, you got to make sure you treat people with dignity and respect.
BLACKWELL: Yeah, but does that mean forcing the law require what youâre seeing there? Is that the way that people should be treated?
CUELLAR: Yeah, again, that incident will be looked at. But again, thatâs not a whip, that is not a lasso. They do not carry that. That seems to be the reins from the horse itself.
BLACKWELL: Youâre creating a distinction between swinging a rein at someone versus a whip. I donât know that, as we heard from the White House that they make that distinction. Let me ask you about all the other elements that are happening in the house.
While this might be weird, there is no question that Representative Cuellar definitely held his own!