Biden's spokesman says his border trip 'isn't about politics'
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Room of the White House in Washington, February 27. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
President Joe Biden's trip to the southern border today is “not about politics,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said, adding that the president will go to Brownsville, Texas, to hear directly from Border Patrol agents and frontline workers.
Biden has faced heavy criticism for his handling of illegal immigration, a large number of immigrants crossing the US southern border. Former President Donald Trump, who may oppose him in the November general election, has made illegal immigration a key part of his campaign and will visit Eagle Pass, Texas, on Thursday.
“This is not about politics for the president. This is about the American people. The American people will hear directly from President Biden today what he has done to continue to move forward on this issue and how Republicans are standing in the way,” Jean-Pierre said on “CNN News Central.”
Jean-Pierre said Biden will “listen to the people who are directly affected today and day in and day out.”
“Again, it's not about politics; it's about coming together in a bipartisan way to address an issue that concerns the majority of Americans. And it's a failed immigration system that's been broken for decades and we're seeing border challenges that we're going to deal with,” Jean-Pierre added, adding that he's committed to addressing the immigration crisis. Republicans are blocking the administration's desired actions.