'You’re better than this': Ex-Pence aide calls out his 'appalling' use of border as 'political talking point'

21 May 2024

When House Republicans in February smacked down a border bill Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called "the strongest, most comprehensive border security bill we've seen in a generation," Democratic lawmakers said the reason was for political gain.

On Tuesday, former Vice President Mike Pence shared News Nation's report about his trip to the US-Mexico border, writing via X/Twitter: "Visited the southern border today to see the #BidenBorderCrisis firsthand as a deeply concerned citizen. The crisis at our southern border affects all 50 states. It’s time for Joe Biden to take this crisis seriously & Secure Our Border Now!"

Pence's ex-Homeland Security and Counterterrorism advisor Olivia Troye replied to the former vice president's comments, writing, "Dear Mike Pence: next time call your former Homeland Security Advisor, whom you very well know grew up in El Paso, TX. We could have had an honest discussion about the border, talked about the role that faith plays in a lot of the amazing people that live there, their dedication to helping migrants, asylum seekers, as well as refugees & how we can actually make a difference together."

Troye continued, "This is something I offered while you were the Vice President of the United States…It’s also something I felt strongly about when Trump’s hateful rhetoric led to a mass shooting in the Wal-Mart of my hometown, which you said you actually cared about."

"As someone who believed in the Republican Party for my entire life, it is appalling that this is a political talking point rather than an actual effort to secure the border—which was evident when Republicans refused to vote on Congressional legislation this year that would make a difference because Trump was worried it would 'benefit Biden.' You’re better than this."

NBC News reported Monday that Democrats "plan to force a vote Thursday on the bipartisan border security package" Republicans blocked two months ago.

The news outlet also notes "former President Donald Trump helped kill the legislation earlier this year and Republicans say they will block it again."

When Republicans rejected the package, US Senator Chris Murphy (D-NH) wrote in a statement, "Senate Republicans defeated the bill because it would be effective. And that doesn't make sense. Right? Why would that be? Why would Senate Republicans vote against a bipartisan border security bill that would have been effective at bringing order to the southwest border? The reason is this: Republicans have decided that they don't want to solve the problem at the border. Republicans have decided that they want this issue to be outstanding. They want the border to be chaotic. They want the border to be a mess, because it helps for their political purposes. It helps win an election."

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