Last week, the Wall Street Journal published a report saying that the U.S. was in talks to offer $450,000 per person to families who were separated at the border in 2018. Questioned about the report Wednesday by Fox News’ Peter Doocy, President Joe Biden called it “garbage” — although as Joe Concha noted, no one from the White House had disputed the report since it was published.
Joe Biden calls reports about paying $450,000 to illegal immigrants separated from families during the Trump administration "garbage." pic.twitter.com/LUhUY46ZC9
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) November 3, 2021
On Thursday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Justice Department was still in talks about the payments but said it was the $450,000 figure that Biden was dismissing as “garbage.”
A White House spokeswoman says Biden is "perfectly comfortable" giving cash payments to illegal immigrants for breaking the law. pic.twitter.com/dxDf3rFoyq
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 4, 2021
.@KJP46 cleans up Biden’s comments yesterday re: the potential $450,000 settlements for immigrants affected by the family separation policies of the Trump admin. Karine says Biden is “perfectly comfortable” w settlements if it comes to that (Biden had said it’s not gonna happen)
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) November 4, 2021
Pressed later on whether Biden had been briefed by DOJ on the settlement issue, and whether it was appropriate for @POTUS to weigh in (again) on a pending DOJ matter, @KJP46 says “he was asked a question and he answered it. There’s nothing much more to add to that.”
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) November 4, 2021
Karine said that Biden’s reaction yesterday was to the “dollar figure that was mentioned” (the $450K)
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) November 4, 2021
ACLU official AnthonyBiden Romero told the Wall Street Journal in its follow-up piece Thursday morning that Biden “may not have been fully briefed about the actions of his very own Justice Department” and that the Justice Department had assured the ACLU that talks were continuing.
*FLIP* White House says DOJ will pay illegal immigrants settlement funds, “if it saves taxpayer dollars”
Says Biden was referring specifically to the $450,000 number.
“This is something the Department of Justice will handle.”
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) November 4, 2021
Why did he say it, then?
— 🎃jimtreacher.substack.com👻 (@jtLOL) November 4, 2021
So it’s not a garbage story.
— RW (@rwlawoffice) November 4, 2021
I called that yesterday. They were denying the specific figure, but not the premise. Watch them be planning to pay $475,000 per person
— NH (@TwoQuoque) November 4, 2021
Sounds like the checks will be for only $449,999.99…phew!
— CT-BILLiever (@CBilliever) November 4, 2021
@RaheemKassam was right all along. https://t.co/aiPBO9PXF3
— Pannon 🐼 (@Wakefulpanda) November 4, 2021
So his $50k plan will sound like a bargain now ..right?
— Mike K 🇺🇲 (@MikeKinFLA) November 4, 2021
So @POTUS is giving money to illegals! Criminals getting taxpayer money.
— Sound Monkey (@LCPEvents) November 4, 2021
No, we the people do not condone our money to be sent to these criminal families. PERIOD.
— Lowered Expectations – Est. 2021 (@DreamzAbstract) November 4, 2021
This…isn't better.
— Boy Mom on the Right 🇺🇸 (@MHLH167) November 4, 2021
We could deport them instead.
— Abu Reid (@abureid1) November 4, 2021
These lawsuits should be tossed. These people have no grounds since they brought their kids here illegally knowing what could happen. Every part of what they did to break into this country without approval was illegal.
— WorldSeriesWinners!!!! (@NorthATLWife) November 4, 2021
Are we to disregard everything Biden says?
— Jsh19 (@zeemapped) November 4, 2021
Who is in charge?
— Life (@SamPosman) November 4, 2021
So in other words, he wasn't briefed on it else he wouldn't have answered so snarky yesterday. Does anyone talk to each other in this administration?
— Deb A. Kay 🎄🎅💚 (@deb_h7) November 4, 2021
The Justice Department is apparently talking with the ACLU about what sort of settlement these families will be paid.
Related:
Joe Concha notes the WSJ story Biden called ‘garbage’ today hadn’t been disputed by WH since it was published last week https://t.co/Hk4RaKghns
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 3, 2021