Representative Ayanna Pressley was on the receiving end of heavy criticism after she appeared to reignite false allegations that Border Patrol agents had ‘whipped’ Haitian illegal immigrants.
Pressley (D-MA) posted an image of the incident from just over a year ago that takes the confrontation out of context and was originally used by the media and Democrat politicians to accuse border agents of having “whipped” illegal immigrants at the border.
“This happened one year ago today,” she tweeted.
“#1YearAfterDelRio, we won’t stop fighting for *real* accountability & an immigration system that affirms asylum as the fundamental human right that it is,” added Pressley.
This happened one year ago today.#1YearAfterDelRio, we won’t stop fighting for *real* accountability & an immigration system that affirms asylum as the fundamental human right that it is. pic.twitter.com/pByGDeV6og
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) September 19, 2022
Ayanna Pressley Tries to Revive Fake ‘Whipping’ Story About Haitian Illegals
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley was – rightly so – heavily ratioed for the tweet trying to revive an old fake news story.
While she did not specifically mention the word ‘whip’ or make accusations of ‘whipping,’ the intent behind sharing the image was rather obvious.
It is, after all, the image that sparked the entire media-driven controversy.
“You’re spreading misinformation,” wrote Caleb Hull, a conservative communications strategist.
You’re spreading misinformation.
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) September 20, 2022
Abigail Marone, the press secretary for Senator Josh Hawley, informed Pressley that the story behind the image had been “debunked a year ago.”
This was debunked a year ago. Why are you trying to make this a hashtag?
— Abigail Marone ?? (@abigailmarone) September 19, 2022
Others broadcast that they had reported the post for spreading misinformation, a process Twitter allows but selectively acts on.
Reported for spreading misinformation
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) September 20, 2022
Some readers were quick to point out that the timing of Ayanna Pressley’s tweet trying to reignite the ‘whipping’ controversy comes on the very same day border crossings topped 2 million illegal immigrants officially.
The same day news breaks that migrant crossings hit 2M this year — a new record— @AyannaPressley tweets out this debunked story attacking border patrol officers.@massgop @massdems https://t.co/FGTtvUf7cO
— ConservativeNotCrazy (@IAMMGraham) September 20, 2022
Still, others were even more critical of her tweet, calling the lawmaker an outright liar.
What happened? A border agent did his job? Or are you still spreading the lie that they whipped illegal aliens? Because you know that’s a lie so that would be a pretty scummy thing to do. Even for you. https://t.co/6KK3Ahk1K5
— Gerry Callahan (@GerryCallahan) September 20, 2022
Casually peddling a lie one year later. Fraud squad has no shame https://t.co/q4GRMgnAro
— Chet Cannon (@Chet_Cannon) September 20, 2022
Yes, you started lying about it 365 days ago. https://t.co/1Pjto3TPyK
— jimtreacher.substack.com (@jtLOL) September 20, 2022
RELATED: Maxine Waters Says Treatment Of Haitian Illegal Immigrants ‘Worse Than Slavery’
The Lie Has Been Debunked
Yes indeed, Ayanna Pressley did help spread the original lie about Haitian illegal immigrants being ‘whipped’ by Border Patrol agents one year ago.
At a press conference with fellow far-left Democrat Representative Maxine Waters, Pressley declared that the Border Patrol agents in the image had acted like white supremacists.
“Haitian lives are black lives, and if we truly believe that black lives matter, then we must reverse course,” the Squad member said.
“Congress must do the work of investigating and ensuring accountability of the egregious and white supremacist behavior of Border Patrol agents in Del Rio Texas,” she added.
Rep. Pressley on situation at U.S. southern border: “Haitian lives are Black lives, and if we truly believe that Black lives matter, then we must reverse course.”
“The Biden administration must immediately…halt all deportations of Haitian migrants.” https://t.co/tUeqoESHTP pic.twitter.com/gJXxntTS1q
— ABC News (@ABC) September 22, 2021
Except, the whole thing was false from the start, spread by a Democrat communications strategist who had no idea how horses and/or reins work, and who was willing to share an image from a dubious angle.
The truth was quickly revealed.
What’s unfathomable is the stupidity involved in thinking you’d get away with lying.
Hey @TwitterSupport – You need to pull this tweet and ban this clown.
He’s spreading a ‘big lie.’
Here’s the alternate angle… pic.twitter.com/70BzKUGT7B
— Rusty ?️ (@rustyweiss74) September 21, 2021
“We do not carry whips and the only thing I see in their hands is reins,” one agent said at the time.
Another agent pointed out that the reins are used to protect the horse or even to protect the person from the horse.
From a Border Patrol source: “Agents use their reins for a lot of reasons. Primarily it’s used to steer the horse, but agents will also spin them sometimes to deter people from getting too close to the horse…We are not aware of anyone being struck with the reins.” https://t.co/yxxyoAuklh pic.twitter.com/t3o3h9dJbL
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) September 20, 2021
The disinformation was obvious and Border Patrol agents smeared by prominent Democrat figures like Ayanna Pressley were cleared by officials.
Now is the time to support and share the sources you trust.
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