Former Vice President Mike Pence traveled to Arizona on Monday to highlight the ongoing border crisis and the neglect of the Biden administration.
During the visit, Pence met with law enforcement officials who are on the front line of the crisis, receiving a briefing on the matter.
“Any conversation about border security needs to start by listening to the law enforcement officers serving on the front lines. Honored to sit down with Sheriff Mark Dannels and the courageous members of the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department in Arizona today,” Pence said in a tweet.
Any conversation about border security needs to start by listening to the law enforcement officers serving on the front lines. Honored to sit down with Sheriff Mark Dannels and the courageous members of the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department in Arizona today. pic.twitter.com/ZRU9qeC94P
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) June 13, 2022
When making the journey, the former vice president was joined by former Director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tom Homan, former Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Mark Morgan, and former Chief of the United States Border Patrol Rodney Scott.
Originally, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey was scheduled to make the trip with Pence, pointing to the dramatic impact the crisis has maintained on his state. However, his office detailed that he tested positive for COVID-19 – remaining asymptomatic.
“From Day One, Vice President @Mike_Pence has worked closely with states to secure the border. Grateful to have him at Arizona’s southern border today to get an update on the ground,” Ducey said of Pence’s visit.
Arizona and Texas have largely faced the largest impact of the border crisis, as thousands of individuals and millions of pounds of deadly drugs have flowed over the border.
Ducey and Texas Governor Greg Abbott established the American Governors’ Border Strike Force in connection with other Republican governors across the country. Both leaders have continued to blame President Joe Biden for lack of action.
“What we’re doing in Arizona works,” Ducey said previously. “But this is not just an Arizona issue, it’s a national issue. If our entire southern border isn’t secure, our nation isn’t secure. As dangerous transnational criminal organizations continue to profit from holes in the border and fill our communities with drugs, it’s no coincidence that we’re seeing historic levels of opioid-related deaths.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Mike Pence in Arizona” by Mike Pence.
