Alabama Senator Katie Britt found herself under scrutiny after her Republican response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address last week. Her remarks, particularly concerning Biden’s border policies, drew attention from fact-checkers and late-night comedians.
Border Crisis Narrative
During her rebuttal, Britt asserted that President Biden’s immigration policies contributed to the ongoing crisis at the southern border. She recounted a harrowing anecdote of a sex trafficking victim she claimed to have spoken with, insinuating that the incident occurred under Biden’s watch.
Fact-Checking Reveals Discrepancy
However, it was revealed that the case Britt referred to actually took place in Mexico during the second term of President George W. Bush, not under Biden’s administration. The victim testified to being abused from 2004 to 2008, and investigations found no evidence of cartel involvement, contrary to Britt’s assertions.
Clarification Amidst Criticism
When questioned about the discrepancy during an interview on FOX News Sunday, Britt defended her wording, stating that she was comparing Biden’s first 100 days in office to her own. She emphasized her visits to the border and conversations with victims of drug cartels during her initial days in office.
Response from Britt’s Camp
Britt’s communications director, Sean Ross, defended her remarks, claiming that the story she shared was accurate. He argued that Biden’s policies had emboldened cartels, leading to increased victimization. However, Ross did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.
Despite Britt’s attempts to clarify her statements, her handling of the anecdote has drawn criticism and raised questions about the accuracy of her claims regarding border policies and their impact.
Clara Cardoso
