Univision reporter Enrique Acevedo suggested that $25 billion could be saved in lieu of a wall at the southern border simply by having agents dodge rocks being hurled at them instead.
Fox News host Martha MacCallum and Acevedo were discussing the situation at the border when the former reminded him of a “woman with the customs and border patrol” who described how rocks had been thrown at their agents.
“She said this is so much better having the wall they can see through because they can see what’s coming at them from the other side and it helps, you know, keeps them safer in their job,” MacCallum restated. “That sounds like a good thing, right?”
A good thing, sure, according to Acevedo, but a costly thing. And he was quick to point out what less expensive technique the border agents could use in order to stay safe.
“Well, it’s always a good thing when we can keep border patrol agents, federal agents safer,” he began. “I would just ask you, Martha, is it worth $25 billion to keep people 100, 200, 300 yards away from the border to throwing rocks at agents on the other side when you just do this …”
He then dodged to the side of the frame.
“Is that worth $25 billion?” Acevedo asked.
“They should dodge the rocks?” MacCallum asked, unimpressed. “You think they should just dodge the rocks?”
Acevedo falsely claimed that’s not what he was saying prior to asking “Is it worth $25 billion to do that [dodge rocks]?”
It’s quite a bit to unpack all of the ridiculous statements Acevedo just made.
First, he inflated the cost of the wall by an order of five times. Second, breaking down the entire concept of the wall to just one benefit – agents not being pelted with rocks – seems short-sighted. And third, why is the onus on border agents to dodge rocks in the first place, when a wall would help prevent these things from happening?
Agents Dodging Rocks
In November, a video emerged of a mob of so-called “peaceful migrants” attempting to breach the U.S./Mexico border, only to be turned back by rounds of tear gas.
Democrats and the media tried to portray the migrants as innocent victims. The reality, however, is that the illegal invaders were throwing rocks and other projectiles at law enforcement.
A statement issued by the Border Patrol tear gas was used to “dispel the group because of the risk to agents’ safety,” noting that “several agents were hit by the projectiles.”
Border Patrol tells CNN: “One of the groups I’ve seen, several of them that were arrested, they … were chanting, waving a Honduran flag and throwing rocks at the agents. If they were truly asylum seekers, they would have walked up and surrendered and that did not take place.” pic.twitter.com/7huKEPhUih
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) November 26, 2018
What If They Can’t Dodge Them?
Acevedo didn’t elaborate enough on his theory to explain what border agents should do if they’re not in a situation where they can dodge things being thrown at them.
One such scenario occurred in July of 2018, when agents attempted to provide medical attention to a pregnant woman, only to be hit with rocks by another illegal.
A statement via CBP reads, “As agents began to provide the woman with medical attention, one of the subjects on the bridge began to throw rocks at the agents.”
Somewhat difficult to provide medical attention while rocks are raining down on you, wouldn’t you say Mr. Acevedo?
