ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos blasted President Trump on Sunday for “unfounded” claims linking Democrats to a caravan of Honduran migrants heading for the southern U.S. border.
Claims by Mr. Trump that Democrats are “openly inviting millions of illegal aliens to break our laws, violate our borders and overwhelm” immigration authorities did not sit well with a “GMA” panel this weekend. The host and contributor Dan Harris bristled at the president’s campaign rhetoric, which echoed coverage by White House correspondent Tara Palmeri.
“Trump once again blaming the Democrats for this caravan. Is that a charge — I mean it’s unfounded — is it likely to stick?” Mr. Harris asked.
“Well, not only is it unfounded and the President has also been confusing on that because he’s also taking credit for the caravan, saying all these people want to come to the United States because I’ve made the economy so strong,” Mr. Stephanopoulos responded, the media watchdog NewsBusters reported. “So, you got that argument right there.”
“I think it’s a mix for the President,” he continued. “On one hand, this whole issue of immigration energizes enflames his base and gets his voters out. That’s why he goes back to it on the stump. At the same time, the family separation policy is tremendously unpopular and probably fueling opposition to the President especially in those swing House districts — in suburban House districts where the opposition is very very strong.”
Mr. Trump’s comments at a recent rally in Nevada came as thousands of Hondurans worked their way from the Mexican border city of Tapachula toward the U.S.
“Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws!” Mr. Trump began a series of tweets on Monday. “Remember the Midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally.”
“Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the U.S. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them,” he added.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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