White House Defends Trump’s Diversity Visa Criticism Amidst Immigration Fact Dispute
WASHINGTON – White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders faced scrutiny on Wednesday for defending President Trump’s call to end the Diversity Visa lottery, together misrepresenting the program’s vetting process and deflecting questions about the administration’s stance on ancient injustices. The exchange unfolded during a contentious press briefing following a deadly terror attack in New York City, where the suspect entered the U.S. through the Diversity Visa program.
The incident reignited debate over immigration policy and national security, wiht Trump advocating for a merit-based system and criticizing the lottery as a security risk. However, Sanders’ attempts to bolster this argument were quickly challenged by reporters who pointed out the rigorous vetting procedures already in place for Diversity Visa applicants, conducted by the State Department. This latest episode underscores a pattern of the administration grappling with factual accuracy when discussing immigration and highlights the ongoing tension between the White House and the press.
During the briefing, sanders asserted that the Diversity Visa lottery presented a problem, defending Trump’s proposal to eliminate it. Reporters instantly countered, noting that individuals selected through the program undergo thorough screening by the State department before being granted entry into the United States.
The exchange took a jarring turn when Sanders was pressed on the implications of Trump’s rhetoric and refused to condemn slavery, responding to a question about re-litigating the Civil War with, “revolting and absurd to suggest anyone inside this building would support slavery,” as reported by CNN’s John Harwood.
The press briefing also featured a familiar tactic from the White House: criticism of the media. When NBC News’ Peter Alexander asked about President Trump’s flaws, Sanders retorted that dealing with the press daily was likely his biggest challenge, a sentiment captured in a viral clip posted by NBC News on Twitter.
