The Dunnells returned to Fox News in January to equate immigrants with organized crime and hold them responsible for overdose deaths in the United States.

“The question is, how worried should all Americans be that cartel violence will soon hit their communities?” Fox & Friends First Co-host Todd Pirro Asked Dunnels.

“Well, it’s already there, no doubt about it,” Dannels replied. He then referred to “drug deaths happening across America” ​​and equated emigration with mass drug smuggling. In fact, most of the fentanyl seized by authorities arrives at official ports of entry in the United States. carried by U.S. citizens, not by cross-border immigrants or asylum seekers.

Dannels’ right-wing media presence extends beyond Fox News.Appearing on Steve Bannon’s Show war room In October 2021, Dunnells confounded border crossings with physical violence and discussed “escape”.

“Getaways are people who can’t give up,” says Dunnells. Said“This could mean having a previous criminal record, being a felony, being deported, etc.”

In reality, the number of immigrants with convictions for murder, sexual assault, or gang activity is fraction of a percent According to Aaron Reichlin Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, there are many reasons for people arrested at the border and immigrants to escape US border officials aside from having a criminal record.Border Patrol has a history brutal treatment of immigrants in their custody, including sexual and physical abuse.

Conservative pundits often cite the threat of terrorism when discussing borders. Dunnels is no exception. Gorka retired on March 30, 2021. interview With the Dunnels with the open question, “Can it get any worse?”

“I think it’s possible,” Dunnells replied, before alluding that immigration was a risk to “national security,” imploring that “we all need to remember 9/11.”

Such unfactual scaremongering about the supposed dangers of migrants at the border is a mainstay of the right-wing media.Fox News Top Borders Reporter Bill Melgin often frame “Escape” as a potential terrorist, helping to create new fears while addressing viewers’ existing fears. It also helps explain why Dunnells was invited to sit on the House Judiciary Committee, which was recently under Republican control after the 2022 midterm elections.

The committee is currently headed by Rep. Jim Jordan (Republican-Ohio). right-wing prioritiesincluding a survey of so-called “weaponization” The Department of Justice and the FBI, as well as Hunter Biden business matters. Jordan also floated the idea of ​​impeaching Secretary of the Land Alejandro Mallorcas for the federal government’s mishandling of its southern border.

Dunnell’s appearances on Fox News and other right-wing media show he knows how to sidestep grievances at the Republican border, and he may even need to update his talking points for Wednesday’s hearings. I don’t think so.