At a White House event today Donald Trump felt the need to introduce a border patrol agent by saying he “speaks perfect English.” The introduction is being called awkward, racist and pathetic.
WATCH: President Trump invites a border patrol agent to speak at a White House event honoring immigration officers: "Come here; you're not nervous, right? Speaks perfect English." pic.twitter.com/NIjlWfEVrv
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 20, 2018
“Trump was hosting an event celebrating Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection services (CBP) amid increasing attacks on the agency for its aggressive approach in tackling illegal immigration. Trump’s rhetoric describing Hispanics has long been criticized after he began his campaign for president by describing Mexican immigrants as rapists, drug traffickers and criminals.”
Wait, did Trump just say of a Hispanic American immigration agent that he "speaks perfect English?"
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) August 20, 2018
Trump's speech is over. Most memorable moment was the president informing his audience that a Latino federal law enforcement officer "speaks perfect English." https://t.co/IavJvgKQMq
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) August 20, 2018
Trump also never says the border patrol’s agent’s full name, he just calls him Adrian. Luckily some reporters tracked down his last name as well.
Pres singles out Border Patrol Agent Adrian Anzaldua, for saving 78 lives by tracking and arresting a human smuggler with 78 illegal aliens locked in a truck trailer. "Great job," said @POTUS, "that a lot of lives." pic.twitter.com/njCIqIq31c
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 20, 2018
Watch the full exchange above.