Press Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre was recently called out for a false fact that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding was being diverted to illegal immigrants. Particularly as Hurricane Helene has devastated large portions of the southeastern United States, conservatives have expressed concern over claims that FEMA resources were short due to the impact of illegal immigration.
Amid the natural disaster, former President Donald Trump called out the White House, accusing the Biden-Harris administration of allocating FEMA resources, that should be going toward American citizens who have been devastated by the hurricane, toward illegal aliens. However, according to KJP, this claim was “categorically false.”
A reporter asked Jean Pierre, “Former President Trump is accusing the Biden administration of using FEMA funding to support undocumented migrants. How has the White House responded to this?” The press secretary replied, “I mean, it’s just categorically false. It is not true. It is a false statement. And look, the fact of the matter is, I think Washington Post fact checker did a piece and the headline recently, just moments ago, not too long ago, and the headline was no, Biden did not take FEMA relief money to use to use on migrants. But Trump did.”
Subsequently, KJP was fact-checked on her fact-check, where some pointed out that on FEMA’s website it outright stated that taxpayer-funded resources were going toward illegal immigrants. “Karine Jean-Pierre says it is “categorically false” that FEMA used taxpayer dollars to resettle illegal aliens. That’s interesting because you can literally read about it on FEMA’s website,” one person said.
According to FEMA’s website, “The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is administered by the FEMA in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). SSP provides financial support to non-federal entities to provide humanitarian services to noncitizen migrants following their release from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The intent is to support CBP in the safe, orderly and humane release of noncitizen migrants from short-term holding facilities.”
Other users on social media called out the Biden-Harris administration, echoing similar sentiment. “They aren’t going to get away with it this time. This was a true wake-up call. If you were on the fence, this should have shown you everything you need to know about this administration. What they’re doing is disgusting. And if, after this, you’re still voting for Harris… there’s no help for you!” one person
LIARS! They are counting on average Americans not fact checking their words. I got news for ya… This admin has taught us to verify everything they say. There’s no chance she is not getting fact-checked,” another person said, expressing their distrust of the Biden-Harris administration.
Another person called out the supposed deceptive nature of KJP’s rebuttal, commenting, “Sophistry-“use of fallacious arguments, with the intention of deceiving” “We don’t give money to illegals.” They give it to NGO’s to give it to illegals. Just like they don’t censor speech; they just have social media companies do it.”
Watch the KJP’s “fact-check” below:
