Republicans Demand Biden Administration Apologize to Border Patrol Agents

Republican lawmakers and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are calling on the Biden administration to apologize to Border Patrol agents, after a federal investigation said they were falsely accused of “whipping” illegal immigrants in Texas.

In September last year, the Biden administration was quick to criticize Border Patrol agents on horseback, after some media outlets showed photographs and videos alleging the agents had “whipped” Haitians, who were seeking asylum at the border in Del Rio, Texas. At the time, the administration incorrectly called the agents’ reins “whips,” with President Joe Biden offering a promise saying the agents “will pay” for their actions.

However, after a nine-month investigation, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Personal Responsibility concluded that there was “no evidence” that the agents “struck, intentionally or otherwise, any migrant with their reins,” according to its 511-page report (pdf) released on July 8. Additionally, the agents were not carrying whips at the time.

In response to the CBP findings, House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) called on Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to issue an apology.

“Biden, Harris, & their allies in the media should all apologize to our brave Border Patrol agents for smearing their reputation,” McCarthy wrote on Twitter on July 8.

McCarthy added, “Rather than disparage the men and women tasked with protecting our border, President Biden should give them the tools they need to secure our border.”

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 13, 2022. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

At the time, Harris said there should be “consequences and accountability” for what the agents had done, while comparing their actions to “times of slavery.”

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) also called on the Biden administration to apologize.