White House Refuses to Apologize for Smearing Border Patrol with 'Whipping' Claims
Joe Biden and Jen Psaki pushed false allegations that agents 'whipped' migrants
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The White House is refusing to apologize after Joe Biden, Jen Psaki, and several top Democrats and administration officials smeared Border Patrol agents with false claims that were "whipping" migrants.
On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed that the results of its investigation into the allegations found no border patrol agents were guilty of whipping migrants crossing the Southern border in September 2021.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki refused to respond to the reports showing the agents involved with the accusations were cleared of criminal wrongdoing.
Before the investigation had even begun, Biden and other administration officials said the agents were guilty of "whipping" or "strapping" the migrants, despite having no evidence to support the claims.
The allegations against the agents occurred on September 19, 2021, near a makeshift outdoor encampment holding roughly 15,000 mostly Haitian migrants at the time.
Video and photographs taken in Del Rio, Texas by freelance journalist Paul Ratje were widely circulated and sparked initial claims that agents were “whipping” migrants.
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Further examination led many to concede the images showed Border Patrol agents using long reins to control the horses.
The photographer who captured the incident also denied witnessing the agents’ using whips.
However, many Democrats and media outlets falsely described the agents’ long reins, which they use to control their horses, as "whips."
Psaki at the time slammed what she called "brutal and inappropriate" behavior by Border Patrol agents.
"We understand and agree that this has been an incredibly heart-wrenching issue," Psaki said.
"We’ve watched the photos of Haitians gathering under a bridge, many with families, and the horrific video of the CBP officers on horses using brutal and inappropriate measures against innocent people."
Biden weighed in on the controversy, saying "those people will pay."
"There will be an investigation underway now and there will be consequences," he said at the time.
"There will be consequences."
The agents have since been cleared in the investigation but have been on desk duty since the incident.
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Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked Psaki Monday afternoon when Biden would apologize to the Border Patrol agents.
Psaki evaded the question, saying that the matter is being handled by the Department of Homeland Security and she could not provide any more updates.
When Doocy asked Psaki whether she would apologize, she said the investigation into the matter "would play out."
"Whenever it’s going to be announced, the Department of Homeland Security will announce that," Psaki said.
"And then, I’m sure we’ll have a comment on it after that."
