On July 27, 2018, the New York Times published a “fact check of the day” titled, “No, Democrats Don’t Want ‘Open Borders.’”
The article was supposed to serve as a takedown of President Trump’s oft-repeated claim that Democratic lawmakers envision a world where America’s borders are wide-open to all.
On Thursday, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, said he would “absolutely” support destroying already existing barriers along the U.S. southern border.
The former congressman’s remarks came as Trump announced he’d declare a national emergency to fund building a wall on the border shared with Mexico. Amid this announcement, Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, asked of O’Rourke, “If you could snap your fingers and make El Paso’s border wall disappear, would you?”
Later that day, MSNBC’s Chris Hayes took up Crenshaw’s question, asking O’Rourke on-air: “Would you, if you could, would you take the wall down here — knock it down?”
“Yes, absolutely,” said the former congressman and potential 2020 presidential candidate. “I’d take the wall down.”
Hayes then asked whether he believed El Paso residents would back that move in a referendum.
“I do,” said O’Rourke.
One day later, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who has already announced her 2020 candidacy, was asked whether she’d support an initiative like the one mentioned by the former Texas congressman.
“Well, I’d have to ask folks in that part of the of the country to see whether the fencing that exists today is helpful or unhelpful. But, you know, Democrats are not afraid of national security or border security,” she responded during a campaign stop in New Hampshire.
She added, “I could look at it and see which part he means and why and if it makes sense. I could support it.”
The New York senator stressed that Democrats have historically supported border security, adding her opposition to Trump’s proposed wall is based mostly on concerns for the community and the environment.
“Democrats have funded border security for decades and so it’s not a question of not wanting to keep the country safe, but what President Trump wants to do is build a medieval-style wall out of concrete and one that will destroy not just the community but the environment,” Gillibrand said.
She added, “And it is a hateful message. I mean he’s — he’s trying to create a picture of division and hate and derision. And that’s what I’m so offended by: the fact that he’s fused this kind of racism in, in his words and actions is just troubling.”
To be clear, Democrats are not for open borders — at least, according to the New York Times. It’s just that some of the party’s current and potential presidential candidates are giving serious consideration to destroying already existing barriers for, uh, reasons.
