Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Friday that the “socialists” who have been harassing him and other Republicans at restaurants in recent weeks aren’t trying to debate issues, but rather to intimidate people.
“I will not be intimidated by these people,” the Kentucky Republican told reporters.
He has been the target of protests in recent weeks, as were Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and White House adviser Stephen Miller.
Mr. McConnell said the “groups of socialists” behind the harassment support open borders.
The protesters call themselves Democratic Socialists and one of their major issues is demanding an end to the agency responsible for interior enforcement of immigration laws, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Mr. McConnell said he was most troubled by the fact that calls to abolish ICE have bled from the socialist fringe of politics into the Senate.
“There are three credible Democratic United States senators thinking of running for president who have come out for getting rid of ICE. Senator Gillibrand from New York. Senator Warren from Massachusetts. Senator Harris from California. No border security at all?” Mr. McConnell said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.