Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.) and CNN host Audie Cornish (Photo: Screen capture)
A new Fox News poll shows that Republicans are underwater with Independents, and one GOP lawmaker doesn't see why it's a problem for his party in the upcoming election.
CNN host Audie Cornish confronted Republican Rep. Mike Haridopolos (Fla.) after Tuesday's hearing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection before Congress. Democrats are asking for accountability for the agents who have been caught seriously harming people and detaining Americans and those in the U.S. legally. The Department of Homeland Security could be defunded by Friday.
Haridopolos said the federal agents "aren't bad guys" and are "following federal law."
"Here's where it becomes a problem for you," Cornish pivoted. "Among Independents, the question, Fox News polls: 'Do you think ICE is being too aggressive in its deportation effort?' Seventy-one percent. The message you are saying is not reaching that voter."
Haridopolos blamed the media, saying that they're "covering the chaos."
"You mean to shoot people dead, because I will cover that," Cornish said.
"You cover the chaos. Ok, well, what about Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray," Haridopolos said. "Why don't you guys cover that a bit more."
The two began talking over each other, with Haridopolos saying that it's the number one issue in politics. In fact, the number one issue in all polls remains the economy.
"It turns out it's the economy, actually, right now," Cornish cut in.
"Again, right now, the number one issue in 2024 was illegal immigration," said Haridopolos. "We have solved — our border is secure. Rounding up hundreds of thousands of people who, not just came here lately, who broke the law, was here, murder, rape, drug use, it's a big deal."
"Is there any — you just said the funding is secure, right?" Cornish said about Haridopolos' comments that ICE is already fully funded for years. "It's going to be one of the largest military apparatuses in this country. Should it have any reining in? Should it have strings?"
Haridopolos said that he agreed to body cameras and increased training.