WATCH: Top Democrat Pushes Back On Claim That Border Patrol Agent Swung ‘Whip’ While Charging Horse Toward Haitian Migrants

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) pushed back against recent criticism of U.S. Border Patrol agents who rode up horseback to force Haitian asylum seekers out of Del Rio, Texas, after the small border town had become flooded with thousands of illegal aliens in recent days.

Cueller, appearing on CNN on Tuesday, disputed false narratives that emerged from an inaccurate news report claiming an agent swung a “whip” while charging his horse toward the illegal aliens. The misinformation was amplified by several of his fellow Democrats and possibly further exaggerated by CNN anchor Victor Blackwell, who said on-air that an agent “appears to use what looks like a rope or a lasso” while referencing a photograph taken during the encounter.

“Well, you know, certainly, we got to make sure we treat all the immigrants with respect and dignity,” Cuellar said. “But I will say this, Border Patrol has had those horse brigades for a while, they’ve had them for a while, number one. Number two, they don’t carry whips. And they do not carry lassos. I think the picture you’re talking about, at least the one I’ve seen is the rein, the rein of the horses.”

Cuellar said that if there was a problem with the agent’s conduct, it should be looked into but that “we cannot paint the Border Patrol with that same type of paintbrush.”

“But again, that’s not a whip, that is not a lasso,” Cuellar later added. “They do not carry that. That seems to be the reins from the horse itself.”

WATCH:

Texas Democrat @RepCuellar corrects CNN host who’s upset about border agents on horseback: “The picture you’re talking about, at least the one I have seen, is the rein, the rein of the horse … What are they supposed to do, just stand there and let everybody come in?” pic.twitter.com/csFE4gwkTm

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) September 21, 2021

TRANSCRIPT:

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: Let me ask you about some of the images we’re seeing of border guards on horseback chasing or charging migrants on these horses. At least one appears to use what looks like a rope or lasso. These are Haitians who have crossed into Mexico to buy food and ice because that’s running out under the bridge and then cross back. What’s your reaction to what you’re seeing here?

REP. HENRY CUELLAR (D-TX): Well, you know, certainly, we got to make sure we treat all the immigrants with respect and dignity. But I will say this, Border Patrol has had those horse brigades for a while, they’ve had them for a while, number one. Number two, they don’t carry whips. And they do not carry lassos. I think the picture you’re talking about, at least the one I’ve seen is the rein, the rein of the horses.

BLACKWELL: And should those be used? Should those be used should even if it is a rein?

CUELLAR: Well, again, if there was a problem, it should be investigated. And I think that’s it, but we cannot paint the Border Patrol with that same type of paintbrush. Look, you know, what are they supposed to do? Just stand there and let everybody come in? You know, they’re supposed to be enforcing the law, but again, as to how you enforce the law, you got to make sure you treat people with dignity and respect.

BLACKWELL: Yeah, but does that mean forcing the law require what you’re seeing there? Is that the way that people should be treated?

CUELLAR: Yeah, again, that incident will be looked at. But again, that’s not a whip, that is not a lasso. They do not carry that. That seems to be the reins from the horse itself.

BLACKWELL: You’re creating a distinction between swinging a rein at someone versus a whip. I don’t know that, as we heard from the White House that they make that distinction. Let me ask you about all the other elements that are happening in the house.

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