Jake Tapper and Mike Johnson Clash Over Who’s Coming Across the Border: ‘That’s the Terrorist Watchlist, Jake’
CNN anchor Jake Tapper and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) clashed on Wednesday after Tapper disputed one of Johnson’s claims about terrorists being apprehended at the southern border.
During an appearance on The Lead live from Eagle Pass, Texas, Johnson said, “Jake, the president should come to the border. What an idea that would be.”
“I think he went last year,” replied Tapper.
Johnson shot back:
He went for a photo op. He should come and spend a couple of days like we have to be with the people here on the ground who are fighting this war on the border. That’s effectively what it is. We have so many people– Jake, seven million people have come into the country since Biden walked into the Oval Office and that’s a low estimate. Most people believe it may be twice as high. We have nearly two million got-aways that we know about, not to mention those who evaded capture. Over 300 known terrorists apprehended at the border trying to come in. We don’t know how many evaded capture and detection, they’re in the country, potentially setting up terrorist cells everywhere.
Tapper responded, “Just one note on the terrorist thing, that there aren’t hundreds of known terrorists getting into the country. There are people whose identity have been flagged on a certain database. I just don’t want people out there thinking that, you know, 200 members of Hamas have flown into the country and we don’t even know about it. It’s a little bit more complicated.”
“Hey, Jake. Hey, Jake,” protested Johnson. “That’s the terrorist watchlist, Jake – it takes quite a bit to make that list, okay?”
He concluded, “These are dangerous people who are coming to the country and we have hardened criminals who are coming from all these countries around the world. They’re opening prisons and sending them here. We saw it today, Jake. We know what’s happening. We’re talking to the people on the ground, so these are not Republican talking points. This is reality and the White House needs to wake up to it.”
Watch above via CNN.
