Anthony Scaramucci, former White House communications director, argued President Trump is “not being served well by his advisors” regarding the administration’s new zero tolerance policy to prosecute all illegal immigrants.
“You can’t simultaneously argue that family separation isn’t happening, that it’s being used as a deterrent, that the Bible justifies it and that it’s @TheDemocrats fault. @POTUS is not being served well by his advisors on this issue,” Scaramucci said in a tweet Monday.
You can’t simultaneously argue that family separation isn’t happening, that it’s being used as a deterrent, that the Bible justifies it and that it’s @TheDemocrats fault. @POTUS is not being served well by his advisors on this issue.
— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) June 18, 2018
The Homeland Security Department confirmed Friday that nearly 2,000 minors were separated from accompanying adults between ports of entry at the border between April 19 and May 31. Minors who are split from their families as a result of the zero tolerance policy will be housed by the Health and Human Services Department.
Over the weekend, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said there was no “policy” in place of separating families at the border.
“We do not have a policy of separating families at the border. Period,” Nielsen tweeted Sunday. “For those seeking asylum at ports of entry, we have continued the policy from previous administrations and will only separate if the child is in danger, there is no custodial relationship between ‘family’ members, or if the adult has broken a law.”
Those tweets were subject to a wave of backlash, and Nielsen later clarified that the Trump administration policy on separating families only impacts those who attempt to enter the U.S. between standard entry points.
Meanwhile, Trump has cast the blame on Democrats for splitting families and not acting quickly to end the tense situation.
“The Democrats are forcing the breakup of families at the Border with their horrible and cruel legislative agenda,” Trump tweeted Friday.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions pointed to a biblical passage to defend the zero tolerance policy.
“Illegal entry into the United States is a crime — as it should be. Persons who violate the law of our nation are subject to prosecution, I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of order,” Sessions said Thursday.
