President Trump on Monday mourned the death of a Border Patrol agent who was killed in an ambush attack in Texas near the Mexico border.
The president acknowledged the killing when wishing Americans a happy Thanksgiving, sending his wishes “especially to our brave men and women serving in our military, and our Border Patrol and ICE agents along the very dangerous southern border.”
“As you heard, we lost a Border Patrol officer yesterday, and another one was brutally beaten and badly, badly hurt. Looks like he’ll make it,” Mr. Trump said at the start of a Cabinet meeting.
The two agents were attacked Sunday in West Texas. They were bludgeoned, perhaps with rocks, according to reports.
The Border Patrol released few details about the circumstances surrounding the death of Agent Rogelio Martinez, 36, including whether investigators have any suspects or think smugglers or illegal immigrants were involved.
The agent who survived is in the hospital.
Mr. Trump said the violence underscored the urgent need for a border wall.
“We’re going to have the wall as part of what we’re doing. We need it,” he said. “It’s rough territory. That’s where the drugs are coming in, a lot of things are happening along the border, the southern border, and we’re going to straighten it out.”
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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