When it comes to defending popular vote loser President Donald J. Trump, I’ve heard a lot of outlandish claims. But few rise to the level of complete delusion like Congressman Roger Marshall, who appeared on MSNBC Thursday morning proclaiming that we stop “over ten terrorists” every day at the border with Mexico. That’s more than 3,650 terrorists per year, and easily more than 7,000 for the duration Trump presidency, even giving these terrorist-catching Border Patrol employees a few holidays and weekends off.
Mike Barnicle, obviously wondering where the heck these stats are coming from, poses the question at 2:54: “Where are these terrorists being held?” After all, a sudden influx of 7,000+ new inmates into the jail or prison systems, who are terrorists, would certainly be a major budget item.
Marshall responds: “I’m not saying they all made it across the border, but they would be in our jails.”
It gets worse. At 3:40 into the interview, Congressman Marshall notes that “Unfortunately we’ve had terrorist activity in Kansas.” What kind of terrorist activity? Was it people crossing the border to do harm? NOPE. The terrorism was homegrown, as written up by The Huffington Post:
Three right-wing militiamen from rural Kansas were found guilty on Wednesday in a plot to slaughter Muslim refugees living in an apartment complex in Garden City.
Patrick Stein, Gavin Wright and Curtis Allen were found guilty on charges of weapons of mass destruction and conspiracy against civil rights. Wright was also found guilty on a charge of lying to the FBI. The defendants will face a potential life sentence.
Marshall’s intent to conflate a right wing, anti-Islamic bombing plot which convicted three Americans on terrorism charges with the need for border security isn’t just worthy of a scoff, it hits another border: victim blaming.
The other terrorist charged in Kansas City? Yes, he crossed a border: from MISSOURI. So far, cases of charged terrorism in Kansas have all been home grown.
No word yet on if Congressman Marshall knows where the 7,000+ busted terrorists are being housed at the moment.