In a Monday Telemundo News report about a Trump event honoring the members of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency, anchor José Díaz-Balart seemed more intent on promoting the Abolish-ICE movement, with a large portion of the 46-second report spent on “a group of Democrats”, as opposed to the actual event held in the White House.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART, ANCHOR, TELEMUNDO NEWS: At the event, he (Trump) disqualified the group of Democrats who has called for the abolishment of ICE.
…
DÍAZ-BALART: A small group of Democrats has proposed the elimination of ICE, concerned by the wave of abuses against immigrants committed by these agents throughout the country.
Much of the report focused on the outpouring "of allegations of abuse by agents of ICE and the border patrol" and the “wave of abuses against immigrants committed by these agents in the country,” with just a short quote from the President´s speech on camera.
However, as the anchor briefly mentioned, at the “Salute to the Heroes” event, President Trump lauded the men and women of ICE, the Border Patrol and law enforcement, calling them “incredibly brave patriots who keep America safe.”
The “small group” highlighted by Díaz-Balart and led by newcomer Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, the so-called Democratic-Socialists, stands for the abolishment of the 15-year-old agency, established in the aftermath of 9/11. To date, they have not proposed viable alternatives to enforce immigration laws, promote homeland security and public safety.
Below is the complete transcript of the above-referenced report, as aired during the August 20, 2018 edition of Noticias Telemundo.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART, ANCHOR, TELEMUNDO NEWS: Well, and while allegations of abuse by agents of ICE and the border patrol continue to pour, President Trump goes overboard in praising them. The President today honored them and called them heroes in a White House ceremony. At the event, he disqualified the group of Democrats who has called for the abolishment of ICE.
TRUMP: We will not stand for the vile smears, the hateful attacks and the vicious assaults on the courageous men and women of ICE, Border Patrol and law enforcement. We will protect those who protect us.
DÍAZ-BALART: A small group of Democrats has proposed the elimination of ICE, concerned by the wave of abuses against immigrants committed by these agents in the country.
