- Sputnik International, 1920
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

She Got a Snack: Twitter Afire After Psaki Explains Why VP Harris Visited Chicago Amid Border Crisis

© REUTERS / JONATHAN ERNSTU.S. Vice President Kamala Harris‬ smiles after delivering a keynote address to the House Democratic Caucus virtually on camera from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House in Washington, U.S. March 2, 2021
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris‬ smiles after delivering a keynote address to the House Democratic Caucus virtually on camera from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House in Washington, U.S. March 2, 2021 - Sputnik International, 1920, 08.04.2021
Subscribe
The surge of migrants on the southern border with Mexico has prompted criticism of the Biden administration's policies not only from Republicans, but also from Democrats. Last month, US border agents arrested more than 170,000 migrants crossing into US, The Wall Street Journal reported citing a person familiar with the matter.

Social media has been left ablaze following the latest press briefing in the White House. During the event, reporter Steven Nelson questioned press secretary Jen Psaki about the ongoing border crisis, emphasising that Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been put in charge of the problem two weeks ago has only spoken to the Guatemalan president.

Nelson also lamented that the official has not visited border, but found time to visit a Chicago bakery. Press secretary Psaki said the vice president's visit to Chicago was actually aimed at discussing the coronavirus pandemic and the importance of getting vaccinated and took a jab at reporter, saying the VP is allowed to have a snack, like any American.

"[Kamala Harris is] playing a significant role on our efforts to address vaccine hesitancy, communicate with the public about how we can do this and it's imperative to get the vaccine when it's available. And so, while she was there, like many Americans, she got a snack. I think she's allowed to do that", Jennifer Psaki said.

The last sentence caused a strong reaction on Twitter and prompted numerous heated debates.

​Many users expressed anger that the vice president has still not visited the border and mocked Psaki's comment about the politician being allowed to have a snack.

​Others contended that both Kamala Harris and Jen Psaki are doing a bad job.

​Many users said that the ongoing border crisis is embarrassing for the United States and blamed it on the Biden administration.

​Other netizens deemed the reporter's question stupid and accused the media of attempting to create scandals.

​Other users defended Kamala Harris, noting that there is nothing wrong with her visit to a Chicago bakery.

​This is not the first time that Vice President Harris has been criticised over the border crisis. Earlier, she found herself in hot water over claims she did not take the issue seriously and started laughing when talking about the issue.

The Biden administration has faced criticism over the surge in the number of migrants crossing into the United States on the country's southern border with Mexico. Opponents of the president say his decision to reverse immigration laws adopted under his predecessor Donald Trump contributed to the surge. After his inauguration Joe Biden terminated asylum agreements with several Central American countries and suspended the policy requiring migrants to wait for asylum hearings outside the United States.

According to data released by the US Customs and Border Protection agency, 78,442 and 100,441 illegal migrants were detained by US border agents in January and February respectively. For comparison, 36,000 illegal migrants were apprehended during the first two months of 2020.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала