Indiana Representative Larry Bucshon, a Republican, recently addressed former President Donald Trump’s xenophobic comments about migrants during an appearance on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. Bucshon commented on Trump’s statement that migrants were “poisoning the blood of our country” and expressed his view that Trump should consider issuing an apology for those remarks.
Blitzer began the conversation by highlighting Trump’s controversial language, noting that such rhetoric is often associated with white supremacists. He then posed the question to Bucshon, asking if he believed Trump should apologize for making those comments.
Bucshon responded by stating that he believed Trump should indeed issue an apology. He characterized Trump’s words as outrageous and inappropriate when describing fellow human beings. Drawing upon his background as a doctor before entering Congress, Bucshon emphasized the humanitarian crisis at the border. He acknowledged that people seek entry into the United States due to the country’s freedom and opportunities but stressed the importance of doing so legally.
The congressman expressed empathy for the migrants, recognizing that they, too, are human beings with reasons for seeking entry into the United States. He attributed part of the migration challenge to policies implemented by the Biden administration and highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach. Bucshon endorsed the idea of reversing certain policies and even mentioned the possibility of physical barriers in specific border areas.
Well, I think he probably should,” Bucshon said, continuing:
I think those words are really outrageous to describe human beings. I was a doctor before I was in Congress. It’s a humanitarian crisis down there. And I understand why people want to try to come here to the United States, because we’re the best country in the world with the freedom that we have here, but they need to do it legally.
So, yeah, I think it’s not appropriate language to be using. These people are human beings just like you and I, and there’s reasons why they’re coming. I think the Biden administration policies are helping to drive that, and we need to reverse course here. As you see the administration doing this week, realizing that in certain areas of the border, we might need a physical barrier.
But those type of language, that type of language and rhetoric is not appropriate and we shouldn’t be using it. We should be talking about how we stem the tide of illegal immigration and also we reform our legal system, so people that really want to come here can come to America. Look, we’re all immigrants.
Bucshon underscored that such language and rhetoric were not suitable and advocated for discussions centered on addressing illegal immigration while reforming the legal immigration system to accommodate those who genuinely aspire to come to America. He concluded by emphasizing that the United States is a nation of immigrants, highlighting the shared history of immigration that forms part of the country’s identity.
