President Trump on Thursday demanded that Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer apologize to immigration authorities for remarks the New York Democrat made on the chamber’s floor.
“Wow! Cryin’ Chuck Schumer just said, for the whole World to hear, that ‘NOBODY RESPECTS BORDER PATROL OR ICE,’” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“That is one of the most egregious, incorrect, unpatriotic, and dangerous statements I have EVER heard from a ’professional’ politician. HE MUST IMMEDIATELY APOLOGIZE TO THESE GREAT PATRIOTS, AND I MEAN NOW!”
Mr. Schumer spoke Wednesday on the Senate floor to rebuke funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection without reforms.
“Adding $140 billion to an agency, to two groups, Border Patrol and ICE, that nobody respects in this country,” Mr. Schumer said.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin appeared on Fox News Thursday and called Mr. Schumer a “lying scumbag politician” for his comments.
“It makes my ears red,” Mr. Mullin said. “The definition of a lying scumbag politician, that is you. You would be the definition if you Googled you right now.”
Mr. Mullin said Mr. Schumer should be forthright with Americans and say he’s for open borders if he’s against funding border enforcement.
“You’re for the criminals running amok in our cities,” Mr. Mullin said, adding that the senator’s remarks disrespect law enforcement officers who protect Americans.
DHS has not had funding since Feb. 14 because of the partial government shutdown.
Mr. Trump issued an emergency order to pay DHS employees, but Mr. Mullin said almost no more funding is available and employees’ final paycheck will be in early May.
“We’re at critical mass, and Democrats continue to play political theater,” Mr. Mullin said.
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.