Lauren Boebert Clashes With Reporter Over 'Childish Insults' and ICE Claims
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) remains steadfast in her unfounded assertions regarding the presence of ICE agents at airports, igniting a contentious exchange with a reporter.
Billy Binion, a reporter from Reason, expressed his frustration, accusing Boebert of “seeking attention on social media while hurling childish insults” at individuals like himself.
The confrontation began earlier in the week but escalated on Thursday. In an apparent attempt to curry favor with former President Donald Trump after previously disagreeing with him on various issues, Boebert claimed that the deployment of ICE agents to airports was yielding positive results.
In a video shared on Monday, she stated, “So President Trump sends ICE agents to the airports across the country and while the rest of our country has three-plus hour waits ― thanks, Democrats ― Minneapolis airport’s TSA wait time right now is less than five minutes. Called it!”
However, reports linked to a community note indicated that there was no ICE presence at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. An airport representative credited the swift security lines to “the dedication of the local TSA team.”
Binion challenged the Colorado Republican’s claims, asserting, “ICE agents are not at the Minneapolis airport, where TSA lines have been consistently quick,” he remarked on X. “We are living in an episode of Veep.”
On Thursday, Boebert retorted on X, “I never said they were? Keep trying, tho.”
Binion reiterated her statement in his response and added, “Once again: ICE agents aren’t in Minneapolis, where wait times were always brief. They didn’t drop. Read your own post back to yourself slowly.”
Boebert shot back, “It’s not your fault. Our schools failed you.”
Binion countered her remark, stating, “I know we’re desensitized to this, but it’s still deeply unserious that many sitting members of Congress spend their taxpayer-funded salaries chasing attention on social media and lobbing juvenile insults at strangers. Embarrassing.”
Amid a congressional impasse over Homeland Security funding, airports are grappling with long lines. TSA employees have not received pay during the shutdown, leading to increased sick calls and resignations.
Democrats are pushing for concessions aimed at curbing immigration enforcement abuses before agreeing on any proposals.
