The Republican Party has come down hard on the White House for its lackluster response to two tragic killings in Maryland and Houston, which were allegedly perpetrated by individuals who entered the country without proper documentation. In a statement released earlier this month, the White House failed to mention that all three suspects were in the United States illegally.
Rachel Morin, 37, was tragically murdered on a Maryland hiking trail in August 2023. This week, Victor Antonio Martinez Hernandez, 23, a native of El Salvador who entered the country without proper authorization, was arrested and charged with the crime. Meanwhile, the body of Jocelyn Nungaray, 12, was found near a creek in Houston on Monday. Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, both from Venezuela, were subsequently charged with the killing.
Despite these horrifying incidents, the White House issued statements on both cases that did not mention the suspects’ immigration statuses. This led Republican politicians to criticize the administration for its perceived lack of concern about the dangers posed by illegal immigration.
Kim George, a Republican congressional candidate in Arkansas, decried both statements as “pathetic.” She wrote, “Weak leadership is to blame for these senseless deaths. Nothing can be said to change what happened, but the families deserve better. They deserve #justice.” Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) was even more blunt, writing on Twitter, “Yet another American family is destroyed by corrupt Joe Biden’s open border.” He added, “We MUST secure our border NOW.
The Trump campaign also joined the fray, with its “war room” account tweeting, “Crooked corrupt Joe Biden is a disgrace. The brutal murders of these Americans are on the hands of Biden — and the evil Biden migrants he released into our country.
In response to the criticism, a White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Tuesday, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Rachel Morin.” The spokesperson continued, “We cannot comment on active law enforcement cases. But fundamentally, we believe that people should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law if they are found to be guilty.” On Friday, a nearly identical statement was issued to NBC News about Nungaray.
Morin’s mother expressed her gratitude for former President Trump, who personally called her to offer his condolences. Patty Morin said, “I am deeply touched by President Trump’s kindness and concern. He was genuine and truly wanted to know how our family was coping.” However, she also criticized the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Majorkas for referring to her daughter as an “individual” during an interview. Morin said, “It totally depersonalizes her and makes her an object.” She added that no one from the Biden administration had reached out to her family since her daughter’s alleged killer was arrested.
As these heartbreaking stories continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how the White House will respond to the growing criticism over its handling of these tragic incidents and the broader issue of illegal immigration in the United States.
