The Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has reiterated that all food items seized along the nation’s borders would be returned to the markets to reduce high prices.
The Service disclosed this on Sunday, revealing the latest activity of the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi during his visit to Katsina State.
Adeniyi on Saturday, visited former President Muhammadu Buhari and His Royal Highness, the Emir of Daura, Dr Farouk Farouk in Katsina where he held conversations concerning the protection of the nation’s borders.
Speaking with the former president, Adeniyi said, “I will also use this occasion to brief you on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directives that all trucks of food carrying exports across the border that were seized by Customs be returned to the traders with the hope that they would plough them back into the Nigerian markets.”
According to him, the Service is responsible for ensuring that food security becomes an integral and essential element of national power.
He said, “I would like to assure you that we may continue to work for the peace, progress, and security of Nigeria, those key ideals that you have worked for, in all your years, in your career in the military, and what you did as president and now as a statesman.”
In response, former President Buhari commended the NCS for its crucial role in border protection, which he deemed indispensable for safeguarding national security interests.
On his visit to the Emir of Daura, Dr Farouk Farouk, the Customs Service boss reaffirmed his confidence in the collective efforts of the NCS and other security agencies to combat threats to national security, including the scourge of banditry and insurgency.
His visit, according to the Service was aimed to strengthen the longstanding partnership between the NCS and the esteemed Daura Emirate.
On his part, Emir Farouk pledged the Emirate’s unwavering support to the NCS in its pursuit of excellence.
The Emir urged Adeniyi to remain resolute in his duties and to demonstrate zero tolerance for individuals undermining national security and economic stability.
‘We Are Returning Food Items Seized From Smugglers To Markets To Reduce Prices’ — Customs CG is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
SANTA CLARA – Flipping the financial calendar to a new league year may prompt the 49ers to address high-priced contracts on their payroll.
And it may not stop them from thinking big as free agency ignites Monday.
The NFC champions’ roster makeover began last week, with the release of cornerback Isaiah Oliver after a scuttled one-year tenure. Restructuring other contracts, or ditching them completely, will create more space for acquisitions, in-house extensions or future moves this year or next offseason.
The 49ers’ regime, led by coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, typically have a surprise or two to make in their annual championship quest.
Complementing their offensive and defensive lines with a veteran might be paramount in this spring’s shopping season, all due respect to needs at cornerback, wide receiver, linebacker and tight end. Here is how the trenches are looking:
Defensive end
WHY HERE: The 49ers’ defensive front line is considered the engine that makes everything go. It sputtered in 2023, and it would be suspect to invest even more when Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead already have cap numbers totaling nearly $60 million in 2024. But the 49ers desperately need a bookend opposite Bosa, and that could come with another high-priced veteran or, more likely, younger prospects who could rotate into that spot.
WHO’S AVAILABLE: Josh Allen (Jaguars; franchise tagged), Brian Burns (Panthers; franchise tagged), Danielle Hunter (Vikings); Jonathan Greenard (Texans), Bryce Huff (Jets), Leonard Floyd (Bills; 32), Yannick Ngakoue (Bears), Andrew Van Ginkel (Dolphins), Jadeveon Clowney (Ravens; 31), Romeo Okwara (Lions), Emmanuel Ogbah (Dolphins); Marcus Davenport (Vikings); Za’Darius Smith (Browns; 32); and, Derek Barnett (Texans).
BLOCKBUSTER TRADE: Acquiring Joey Bosa from the cap-conscious Chargers and pairing him with younger brother, Nick, would be the ideal formula, though it will cost multiple draft picks and millions of dollars. The other intriguing – and outrageous – option is to repeat 2019 (see: Dee Ford, Chiefs) by trading for a franchise-tagged Allen or Burns, then awarding him a top-of-market contract, like the other three starters on the 49ers’ line.
HIGH-PRICED SIGNING: Hunter has 33 sacks in three seasons since neck surgery, including 16 ½ last season at age 29. The Vikings gave him a $72 million extension in 2018, so he’s onto his third contract, and perhaps his last, so he won’t come cheap. No one will. But maybe the 49ers go with a younger model, such as the Texans’ Greenard (12 ½ sacks last year) or the Jets’ Huff (10 sacks under coach Robert Saleh). Flloyd, 31, left the Bears in 2020 to play for the Rams and their defensive coordinator Brandon Saley, who’s now on the 49ers’ staff.
IN-HOUSE OPTIONS: Clelin Ferrell acquitted himself nicely in 2017, but 3 ½ sacks aren’t enough to justify a sizeable raise. Chase Young came from Washington with concerns and didn’t erase them, but a full year/offseason in the system could be what he needs for a bigger year (and a bigger contract next spring). Randy Gregory didn’t produce much, either, and he could be onto his fourth team in as many years.
Offensive line
WHY HERE: Of course the 49ers will want to insulate Brock Purdy from career-threatening, offense-imploding hits and pressure. Every team wants that for their quarterback. The 49ers’ line is not as bad as some perceive. It just broke down in key moments in the Super Bowl. While many focus on upgrading the right guard and right tackle spots, the 49ers need a succession plan in place once Trent Williams is done at left tackle, presumably in the coming years.
WHO’S AVAILABLE: Mike Onwenu (Patriots), Laken Tomlinson (Jets), Jon Runyan Jr. (Packers), Robert Hunt (Dolphins), Andre James (Raiders), Coleman Shelton (Rams), Lloyd Cushenberry (Broncos).
BIG DEAL AHEAD: Onwenu’s experience at both guard and tackle, in four seasons with the Patriots, could be just what the 49ers are looking for in terms of positional flexibility and future lineups. Tomlinson, who blossomed as a reliable right guard for the 49ers from 2017-2021, obviously is well-versed in the 49ers’ scheme, as is Hunt, Runyan and Shelton. If the 49ers look to Cushenberry or other centers, that would be a surprise signal of any displeasure with incumbent Jake Brendel. Most credited offensive tackles hitting the market are over 30, so they’re not exactly long-term solutions to replace Williams, but what about another (non-related) Williams: the Bengals’ Jonah Williams?
IN-HOUSE OPTIONS: John Lynch recently expressed a desire to re-sign Jon Feliciano, who seized the starting right guard spot last season ahead of Spencer Burford. It likely will take a hefty raise to lure back Feliciano, who pocketed $2.25 million for last season’s try at a Super Bowl ring. Other 49ers’ free agents are Matt Pryor and Ben Bartch.
The crowd of UFC 299 went wild Saturday night as former President Donald Trump entered the Kaseya Center arena in Miami amid chants of “F*ck Joe Biden.”
Flanked by UFC President Dana White, Trump shook hands and exchanged words before sitting down with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner for the fight between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera.
The Lagos State government, on Sunday, began removal of illegal structures around the Jakande Estate and Maiyegun areas of Ajah in the state.
The removal exercise followed the expiration of a four-day relocation notice given to squatters along coastal road in the areas last week.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
“Following the expiration of the relocation notice served on squatters in shanties built around the Jakande Estate and Maiyegun axis of Ajah, the Lagos State government will, today, commence the removal of the illegal structures to reclaim the coastal road alignment and restore the aesthetics of the area,” Wahab wrote on his verified X handle.
Addressing journalists last Sunday, the commissioner had stated that all such illegal shanties and squatters, close to regional road alignment must vacate the area by Thursday last week as enforcement would commence in the early hours of last Friday.
Stressing on the importance of the removal exercise, Wahab had noted that it was to secure the coastal alignment of the areas
“The government has cleared Ijora under bridge, Obalende Under bridge, Apongbon under bridge, Agege Red rail line amongst others. I will like to say that most of these places cleaned up are notorious sites that harbour criminals and as such they are threats to residents. The clean up exercise would be sustained to ensure that ejected squatters do not return to rebuild these shanties” he had said.
Lagos Gov’t Begins Demolition In Ajah After Expiration Of Notice To Squatters is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
SAN JOSE – Mikael Granlund saw the puck slide out to the point where Jakob Chychrun was waiting. With time about to expire, the Ottawa Senators defenseman quickly let go of the shot, hoping the puck would somehow find its way into the back of the San Jose Sharks’ net.
Granlund made sure it never got there.
The center slid in front of the shot, collecting his fourth block of the game — to go with two assists in 23:39 of ice time — to help preserve the Sharks’ 2-1 win over the Senators, as San Jose snapped a nine-game skid.
“That’s Granny,” Sharks coach David Quinn said of Granlund. “He’s been doing that his whole career. He’s the ultimate team player and we’re fortunate to have him.”
Granlund, in his 12th NHL season and now a Sharks’ alternate captain, remained on the ice for a few moments, his body still smarting from the Chychrun blast. His appreciative teammates then helped him up and escorted him off the ice, as those in attendance gave the Sharks a hearty round of applause.
“Honestly, I was just happy we were leading,” Granlund said of the final few moments in which the Sharks blocked six shots in 59 seconds. “Being in those situations rather than trying to tie the game.
“This season, we haven’t had too many of those situations when we’d be leading and (the opposition) pulls the goalie. That’s hockey. You block shots and do all that stuff.”
If the Sharks (16-40-7) want to have a dignified end to what’s been a dismal season, then it’s the remaining veterans after the trade deadline like Granlund who are going to have to lead the way.
San Jose Sharks center Mikael Granlund (64) reaches for the puck in front Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Of course, it’s nice for the Sharks to see young guys contribute, like forward Thomas Bordeleau and goalie Magnus Chrona did against the Senators. Bordeleau, 22, had his first two-goal game in the NHL, off assists from Granlund, and Chrona, 23, made 31 saves for his first win in the league.
But young players go through ups and downs, peaks and valleys. Veterans like Granlund, who played his 800th career NHL game Saturday, have a consistency and predictability to their game that teammates, coaches — and general managers — appreciate.
The Sharks are going to rely on Granlund, Luke Kunin, Nico Sturm, Mario Ferraro, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, and other veterans to set the right example, especially since some young players figure to get more of an opportunity after Tomas Hertl, Anthony Duclair and Kaapo Kahkonen were traded. Logan Couture is also out for the season.
“It’s always big,” Granlund said of setting an example. “We talk about culture. What do you want to do here and what kind of organization you want this to be. Obviously, (Couture) being out and a few guys that we lost, it’s not easy.
“But you just try to do your best out there. There are a lot of good young kids coming up and next season, even more. So just try to help them however you can. But the biggest thing is you need to be an example in the way you work, and the way you behave yourself, and I’ve been lucky to be on teams that have created great leaders. So hopefully, I’ve learned something.”
The Sharks would love nothing more than to see players like Bordeleau, William Eklund, and Fabian Zetterlund emulate some of Granlund’s habits.
“I mean, everything, basically,” Bordeleau said when asked what he can learn from Granlund. “He’s been through it all. He’s done it. He’s a huge part of this team.
“I’ll try to learn everything I can learn from him.”
Sharks general manager Mike Grier said Friday that there was interest from other teams in Granlund before Friday’s deadline. But the Sharks used up their final salary retention spot in the Hertl trade, as they kept 17%, or $1.3875 million, of the centerman’s contract on their books for the next six years.
Grier said that the decision to deal Hertl and retain part of his salary might have cost him the chance to pull off another trade. Granlund’s cap hit for next season is a not-inexpensive $5 million, although it’s unclear if Grier was talking about the Finnish forward.
“There was interest in (Granlund), Sturm, Kunin, guys who have a year left. There was interest in those guys,” Grier said. “But Quinn said it before, those guys bring a lot of value to us, especially as we start to bring in some of these young players. Those (veterans) have expressed an interest in being here and helping us turn this around and working with young players.
“So, for someone to try and pluck one of those guys from us, I had a pretty good price tag on them.”
Granlund, traded twice before on or near deadline day, kept an even keel.
“Obviously, you never know what’s going to happen. I personally had a feeling I’m not moving anywhere,” Granlund told this news organization. “You never know, but I was pretty even. Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about it. But obviously, a lot of other moves were being made and a lot of good people were going out the door, so it’s never easy.”
This time next year, though, Granlund figures to be one of the Sharks’ most talked about pending unrestricted free agents, especially if he has another year like this one as a 0.8 point-per-game player with now 40 points in 50 games.
But for the rest of this season – and into next – he figures to be one of the Sharks’ most valuable players, for all that he does on the ice and the example he set off of it.
“He’s a very, very important part of this organization,” Quinn said of Granlund. “Ton of respect for him as a player and a person. Our organization is in good hands when you get people like him leading.”
In one of the most powerful segments of The Alex Jones Show, Alex channels Obi-Wan Kenobi and quotes his mother’s Spartan advice, “Come home with your shield or on it”.
In one of the most powerful segments of The Alex Jones Show, Alex channels Obi-Wan Kenobi and quotes his mother’s Spartan advice, “Come home with your shield or on it”.
Three weeks ago my mother said, "Come home with your shield or on it."
The Northern Ethnic Group Assembly (NEYGA), an NGO, has lauded the decision of the Senate to probe the Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASC), over allegations of corruption and other sharp practices in the sector.
The NGO, in a statement signed by the Spokesman, Ibrahim Dan-Musa on Sunday, said the petition to the Senate by some traditional rulers kicking against the decision by the Senate to probe the company management did not represent the interest of Kogi people.
Dan-Musa recalled that Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP/Kogi Central), recently moved a motion urging the Senate to investigate alleged corruption and inefficiency at ASC and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe.
He stated that lawmakers are seeking an investigation into the $496 million allegedly paid to a supposed handler of the moribund outfit, by the Federal Government in September 2022, reportedly to ward off contractual disputes.
According to Dan-Musa, the petition to stop the probe was jointly signed by five traditional rulers in the central senatorial district.
According to him, the chiefs accused the lawmaker of acting in isolation and without the input of critical stakeholders in the senatorial district.
They also claimed that the Senator’s motion was an “unwarranted public outcry”.
Dan-Musa said the traditional rulers contended that taking fundamental decisions without consultations with them would amount to burning the bridge of democratic principles.
Reacting to the petition, the NEYGA’s spokesman said that the traditional rulers were not empowered to decide on issues that concerned the state and Nigeria as a whole.
According to Dan-Musa, ASC belongs to all Nigerians.
“No one should stand in the way of truth. No one should issue petitions when we want to get to the truth as to why these critical projects are not working and serving their purpose
“If there have been misdeeds, we need to know. That should not hurt anyone.
“Instead of going against the motions raised by Sen. Natasha, I expect every Nigerian to join hands with her.
“Northern Nigeria has decided to stand up. We shall no longer be seen as a lazy region regarding the development of its resources.
“The northern region is disappointed by the letter emanating from traditional rulers in Kogi because the fact that the plant is located in the state does not give Kogi absolute claim to it.
“The letter from Kogi State traditional rulers does not represent the interests of the north and the entire northern senators are encouraged to ensure adequate probe of the whereabouts of the money.
“We also call on the Minister of Steel, Shiabu Audu, to continue with his quest to resuscitate the plant. We urge him to constitute an adequate management team.
“Since the company is not contributing to national development, there is the need for a proper management team to ensure accountability and corporate efficiency.
“The demand for the whereabouts of monies released in respect of ASC is legitimate.
“Where was the money paid to? Who are the beneficiaries? The probe and a competent governing board will reassure investors that the management is serious,” he said
Northern Group Lauds Senate’s Decision To Probe Ajaokuta Steel Company is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Olivia Wilde, 40; Carrie Underwood, 41; Jon Hamm, 53; Sharon Stone, 66.
Happy Birthday: Look at the possibilities and consider what interests you most. Push for excellence and you will surpass expectations. Don’t waste time when you have so much to do and gain by staying present, active and focused on what you want and can do to improve your life. Don’t let trivial matters stand in your way, and don’t give up before you can claim victory. Your numbers are 5, 13, 21, 28, 33, 38, 45.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Push forward with strength and courage. Don’t settle for less; stand your ground and make things happen. Accept a challenge and use wit, intellect and speed to outmaneuver anyone who gets in your way. Set high standards and don’t back down. Romance is favored. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Stop and think before you take on something for the wrong reason. Refuse to let anyone manipulate you using unorthodox means. Be true to yourself and know enough to walk away from temptation. Make decisions that allow you the freedom to do what makes you happy. 4 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Choose to learn, expand your interests and skills, and make personal or physical changes that contribute to achieving your long-term plans and mission. Don’t let anger stand in your way. Let go of the past, embrace the future and be open to new beginnings. 2 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take the road less traveled and you’ll find your happy place. Let your creativity lead the way; it will take you to a place that soothes the soul and helps you put your life in perspective. Follow your heart, and happiness will prevail. 5 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Push for what you want and refuse to let anyone disrupt your plans. Don’t feel you must follow the crowd or dismantle your plans because someone you were counting on backs out. Trust in yourself. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Consider making a move or change that will broaden your trajectory and stimulate your mind. Be receptive to learning and experiencing something new; it will help you find your passion and connect you to those heading in a similar direction. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put muscle behind the lifestyle changes you want to make. Engage in events or activities conducive to meeting new people and sharing information that can change your perspective and give you a greater appreciation that will help you achieve your dreams. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Step outside your comfort zone and try something thought-provoking. Engaging in something unfamiliar will spark your imagination and encourage you to make personal changes that attract a different circle of friends. Push for what you want instead of waiting for things to come to you. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stop struggling; pay attention to what you can achieve. Don’t listen to someone who is feeding you false information. Do the research yourself and you’ll discover you have more options than you realize. 2 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Address financial and domestic matters head-on and you’ll discover a path to better overall choices. A couple of changes to your household expenses will make your life less stressful. Look for inexpensive entertainment. 4 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Pace yourself. If you take on too much or don’t take the necessary time to do a good job, you’ll face criticism and opposition. Choose a unique approach to whatever you do. You’ll enjoy the process and take your critics by surprise. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Change what’s necessary. Work with what you have; you’ll save money and discover what you can accomplish. Don’t give in to temptation or let someone lead you astray. Pay attention and avoid taking risks that can lead to injury or illness. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are upbeat, innovative and generous. You are changeable and lively.
1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.
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Former President Trump is turning to familiar terrain as he gears up for the general election campaign against President Biden, escalating his attacks on migrants coming into the country and warning of calamitous consequences at the border if Biden is reelected.
Trump has for years used incendiary rhetoric about immigrants to fire up his base, but in recent weeks he has turned up the intensity even more, warning about “migrant crime” and making dubious claims about migrants speaking languages “nobody has ever heard of.”
Several recent polls have shown immigration at or near the top of the list of concerns for voters as they weigh their choices in November. Trump has been eager to make migration central to the general election debate, visiting the U.S.-Mexico border on the same day as Biden late last month.
“The more people learn about this issue, the more they get pissed off,” said Ford O’Connell, a Republican strategist.
“Regardless of the verbiage being used, it drives home the point that Biden is not putting Americans first,” he added.
Trump has made inflammatory statements about immigration dating back to his 2016 campaign launch, when he ran on the idea of building a wall along the southern border and suggested Mexico was sending rapists and criminals across the border into the U.S. He has not shied away from that type of rhetoric in the years since, and he once again is leaning into provocative language.
Trump drew comparisons to Nazi leaders when he said in December that immigrants were “poisoning the blood” of the country.
Almost every Trump speech now features a riff about “migrant crime,” a category Trump tells supporters he has branded himself to refer to violence by those who came into the country illegally.
He has repeatedly referenced a viral incident from early February, in which migrants were recorded brawling with police officers in Times Square. And the death last month of Georgia college student Laken Riley, who authorities say was killed by a Venezuelan man who entered the country illegally in 2022, has become another flashpoint in the debate over border security.
During a February speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump tested out what has become a common talking point: That migrants are speaking unknown languages.
“We have languages coming into our country. We don’t have one instructor in our entire nation that can speak that language,” Trump told the crowd of supporters. “These are languages — it’s the craziest thing — they have languages that nobody in this country has ever heard of. It’s a very horrible thing.”
When asked about the comments, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told NBC News that the former president’s point was “there are migrants invading from countries that we know nothing about.”
Trump routinely claims there are “millions” of migrants coming into the U.S. from jails, prisons and mental institutions. During a conversation with Fox News host Sean Hannity last week, the two men agreed the surge in migration could lead to “a big attack at some point.”
At a North Carolina rally ahead of Super Tuesday, Trump said Biden’s border policies amounted to “a conspiracy to overthrow the United States of America.”
During a conversation with Right Side Broadcasting before Tuesday’s primaries, Trump went so far as to claim, without evidence, that the surge in migration has overrun New York City to the point that “there’s no more Little Leagues. There’s no more sports. There’s no more life in New York and so many of these cities.”
A website for Little League baseball in New York City indicates registration for the spring is underway.
A New York City Education Department spokesperson told ChalkBeat that Trump’s assertions that students in the city have been displaced by migrants were also false.
The Biden campaign has been sharply critical of Trump’s rhetoric and policy proposals on immigration, which include mass deportations led by local police. A Biden campaign spokesperson called Trump’s proposals “racist, un-American and ineffective. It’s cheap politics as usual, at a time when the American people demand action from their elected officials.”
Polling has shown immigration is top of mind for many Americans as focus shifts from the primary process to the likely general election match-up between Trump and Biden. The Associated Press reported in January there were more than 3 million cases pending in immigration courts, and there were record-setting levels of apprehensions at the southern border in late 2023.
A Gallup survey released in late February found 28 percent of Americans named immigration as the country’s top problem, an 8-point jump from January.
A Jan. 31 Bloomberg/Morning Consult survey of voters in seven swing states found 61 percent said Biden was at least somewhat responsible for the surge of migration at the southern border, and 52 percent of respondents said they trusted Trump over Biden on immigration.
Earlier this week, former Biden press secretary Jen Psaki and fellow MSNBC host Rachel Maddow laughed at the idea that immigration was the top issue for Virginia voters on Super Tuesday. The exchange went viral, with Trump aides and other Republicans citing it as evidence Democrats are out of touch with voters who believe immigration affects their safety and economic status.
Jason Miller, a senior adviser for the Trump campaign, called Psaki’s comments “disgusting” and emblematic of a disconnect among Democrats on the issue.
“This is why Democrats are going to lose in the general election,” Miller said on Fox News. “I would like to see those panelists go look the parents of Laken Riley in the eye and say that same thing. Say that to them. Say that to the people who have been hurt by this Joe Biden crisis that he’s created of his own doing at the southern border.”
Biden and the White House have in recent weeks sought to go on offense on the issue of border security, specifically attempting to turn Trump’s opposition to a bipartisan immigration bill into a liability for the likely GOP nominee.
Trump urged Republicans to oppose the bill, which was crafted by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). It would have given the federal government temporary authority to expel migrants when the average number of daily crossings exceeded a set threshold, ended “catch and release” and raised standards for asylum screenings. Trump argued passing the bill would have reflected poorly on the GOP politically.
Biden has vowed to remind voters it is Trump’s fault the border “is not secure.” The president made Trump’s opposition to the border bill a major part of his State of the Union address Thursday, seeking to draw a clear contrast with his predecessor.
“Here’s what I will not do: I will not demonize immigrants saying they ‘poison the blood of our country,’ as he said in his own words,” Biden continued. “I will not separate families. I will not ban people from America because of their faith.”
“We have a simple choice: We can fight about the border, or we can fix it,” he added. “I’m ready to fix it.”
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Biden’s handlers thought it would be a great idea to make the elderly sitting President apologize on national television.
President Joe Biden has apologized for accurately using the term “illegal” during Thursday night’s State of the Union address during a tense exchange with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene over the murder of Laken Riley – whose name Biden mispronounced before uttering the verboten word that clearly upset the left.
During the SOTU, Greene taunted Biden to say Riley’s name – adding that she was killed “by an illegal.”
“Lincoln. Lincoln Riley,” Biden responded, mispronouncing Laken’s name. “An innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal,” Biden continued.
This sent the left into histrionics, with Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) firing the first shot – scolding Biden during an appearance on CNN.
Nancy Pelosi just criticized Biden for using the term "illegal" when describing Laken Riley's killer instead of "undocumented"
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Biden was then confronted outside of Air Force One over the comment, for which he reframed his words as as “Technically, not supposed to be here.”
Even Joe Biden knows that Democrats have lost the plot on illegal immigration and is not walking back his statement, while former Speaker Pelosi & his campaign advisors are still worried about hurting their feelings with semantics.
And so, Biden’s handlers (or whoever) thought it would be a great idea to make the elderly sitting Presidentapologize on national television – yet didn’t think it important enough to apologize to Laken Riley’s family for mispronouncing her name, or causing the border crisis that may have been directly responsible for her death.
“I shouldn’t have used illegal, it’s undocumented,” Biden told MSNBC‘s Jonathan Capehart in Atlanta.
NEW: President Biden tells @CapehartJ that he regrets using the word "illegal" during his State of the Union speech to refer to the alleged killer of Laken Riley.
“I shouldn't have used 'illegal.' It's undocumented."
In response to Biden’s apology for offending illegals, former President Trump has called on Biden to apologize to Riley’s family for mispronouncing her name, as opposed to “apologizing for the word he used” to describe her killer.
President Trump on Laken Riley’s Killer:
“I say he is an illegal alien, he is an illegal immigrant, he is an illegal migrant, and he should have never been in our country, and he wouldn’t have been under the Trump policies.” pic.twitter.com/vQsoNmFNq6
“He should be apologizing to the family as opposed to apologizing for the word that he used which is an accurate description,” said Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita, calling Biden’s response “tone deaf” and a “pivotal moment” that highlights the candidates’ “two very distinct differences in approach on the border invasion.”
“There’s a clear difference,” said LaCivita. “One is sympathetic, coddling, and making excuses. And one wants to put a stop, put an end to it.”
Biden was roundly chastised on X;
He apologizes to Laken Riley’s murderer https://t.co/oZNFhou9FG
— Banana Republic Justice Swan (@TheWuhanClan) March 9, 2024
Liberals aren't upset she was murdered, they're upset he offended the murderer
Once you understand this, their fried mental model falls into place https://t.co/IgiGk85bF5
It was fine to disrespect the deceased? Laken Riley’s life was tragically taken by a multiple offender illegal who was let into the country by the Biden administration. https://t.co/g6acorRvkp
Expressing regret for accurately describing the Venezuelan illegal alien charged with bashing in Laken Riley’s skull as an “illegal” is a remarkable moment.
The one and only time Biden mentions her name – he botches it – and now he hopes to avoid offending her alleged killer.
And it wasn’t lost on the Daily Wire‘s Matt Walsh that Biden falsely claimed that illegal immigrants built America.
The far more outrageous portion of this clip is where he claims that illegal aliens "built the country." That's not remotely close to true. Illegals comes here to leech off of what has already been built. https://t.co/l8OOsTuQyJ
