Rep. Mike Turner, a leading figure among House Republicans, expressed his disagreement on Sunday with former President Donald Trump’s harsh words about some migrants, referring to them as “not people” and “animals.” However, he firmly believed that Trump alone has the capability to resolve the crisis at the southern border.
During his appearance on ABC News’ “This Week,” Turner pointed fingers at President Joe Biden for the surge in migration to the U.S. He mentioned Biden’s call for Congress’s assistance to further address the border situation.
Turner argued that the current administration is to blame for the border crisis. He highlighted FBI warnings about the entry of “dangerous” individuals into the U.S. through the border.
While the focus was on Biden’s immigration policies, “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz questioned Turner about his stance on Trump’s recent negative remarks about migrants.
Turner admitted his past disagreements with such comments and believed that the American public shared his view. Nonetheless, he emphasized that Trump is seen as the only candidate capable of addressing the border crisis effectively.
He mentioned his absence at a Saturday event in Vandalia, Ohio, where Trump, while supporting a Senate candidate aligned with him, criticized some immigrants and referred to individuals jailed for their actions on Jan. 6, 2021, as “hostages.”
Turner, who supports a different candidate in the Ohio GOP Senate primary, also disagreed with Trump’s characterization of the jailed individuals.
“I believe in our judicial system,” he stated, though he acknowledged some court decisions related to the Capitol riot had been overturned.
Turner reflected on Trump’s likely strong emotional response towards those who have been jailed or imprisoned in connection with the events of Jan. 6.
Regarding Trump’s campaign rhetoric, Turner noted that while some of Trump’s statements might not resonate with many Americans, others might find agreement.
As the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Turner also defended a bill that recently passed in the House. This legislation would compel TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the popular social media platform or face a ban in the U.S.
He described the situation as a conflict between authoritarianism and democracy, criticizing Beijing’s efforts to create a “greater surveillance society.” Turner warned that data collected through TikTok could be exploited similarly to how China controls its population through social media.
Despite TikTok’s reassurances about data security, ByteDance has strongly opposed the legislation. Turner highlighted China’s ban on platforms like X, Facebook, and YouTube, advocating for the U.S. to proceed with the legislation to ensure national security.
Turner expressed his primary concern about TikTok being used as a “propaganda tool” capable of manipulating society, emphasizing the importance of addressing privacy and data issues.