Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington state came under fire for her response during an MSNBC interview on Tuesday, according to the New York Post.
Appearing on “The Laid Out” with host Joy Reid, Jayapal appeared to laugh while discussing media coverage of President Joe Biden's June 18, 2024 presidential election. Administrative measures, according to Jayapal's response drew criticism, especially in response to a Fox News banner that read, “Immigrant arrested for allegedly raping 13-year-old New York City girl.”
Progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal laughs at report about immigrant who raped 13-year-old New York City girl https://t.co/4el6c0EOrW pic.twitter.com/4AcToJjFKL
— New York Post (@nypost) June 21, 2024
The segment highlighted differences in reporting between MSNBC, CNN, and Fox News. MSNBC and CNN reported on President Biden's announcement that he would provide legal protections for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, while Fox News appeared to air subtitles about the arrest of Ecuadorian immigrant Christian Giovanni Ingalandi (25), who was arrested on criminal charges in Queens, New York City. Ingalandi reportedly confessed to recording an assault on a 13-year-old girl.
“Ha! You're right,” Jayapal replied. “So I think that's part of the problem,” Reid continued.
Rep. Mark Green, a Tennessee Republican and chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, criticized Jayapal's response. (Related: 'Nobody is worse than him': Brian Kilmeade presses Wes Moore to condemn Joe Biden's border policies)
“Sadly, Jayapal's callous and heartless response to these tragedies is emblematic of how many on the left, including in Washington, view those affected by the Biden administration's open borders,” Greene told the New York Post.
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 17: Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) picnics on Capitol Hill with Mums Rising members and their children to urge Congress to make child care affordable, pass paid leave, support child care infrastructure, and raise the debt ceiling, May 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images, courtesy of Mums Rising)
“I want lawmakers on the other side to take this crisis seriously. And that's President Biden and [Homeland Security] Secretary Mayorkas, many Americans are rightly scared right now.”
Jayapal also argued that illegal immigrants should be given easier access to work, citing low unemployment and the need to integrate long-time undocumented immigrants, according to the New York Post. He noted that the executive order would affect roughly 500,000 immigrant spouses who, according to the White House, have lived in the U.S. for an average of 23 years.
