30-year-old video footage of Biden resurfaced this week, amid the inhumane treatment of Haitian migrants at the border. In the footage, the president (who was then working as a senator) made a damning statement against Haiti, highlighting how he does not care about what happens to the country.
Biden displayed his lack of empathy for Haiti, saying it “does not matter” whether they sink
The shocking statement by Biden was made back in 1994 in an interview with PBS. During the interview, the then-senator of Delaware was asked whether former President Bill Clinton would intervene in Haiti after the 1991 coup de’ etat.
The answer from Biden showed his lack of empathy towards the nation, noting how Haiti does not matter to them regarding political interests. Biden stated, although it is “god awful” to say, whether Haiti falls into the Caribbean sea or rises up above the ground does not matter to America in terms of political interests.
A slave revolt built #Haiti into the first black republic in the world. As punishment, they were occupied, sabotaged, and embargoed into poverty and instability by the US.
Biden: "If Haiti just quietly sunk into the Caribbean or rose up 300 feet, it wouldn't matter a whole lot." pic.twitter.com/UuY84sRA8X
— Holding Biden Accountable (@WaitingOnBiden) July 7, 2021
Although the video is 30 years old, it was circulated widely over the past week; this happened after the images and footage of inhumane treatment of migrants were shared on social media.
Images of border officials on horseback, riding and whipping Haitians sparked fierce criticism against the Biden administration. It was also immediately compared to slavery in America.
Top Biden official apologized to Haiti for the injustices made against Haitian migrants at the southern border
On Friday, a Biden official gave a statement in Haiti. The statement was atoning for the inhumane treatment of Haitian migrants at the border, acknowledging this is not how the U.S. border officials should act.
Senior Director Juan Gonzalez (of the U.S. National Security Council for the Western Hemisphere) made a two-day trip to Haiti to talk with leaders about current issues, including challenges relating to migration.
Gonzalez admitted there were injustices that happened at the U.S. border, adding that indeed it was wrong.
The U.S. government recently came under fire for its treatment of Haitian migrants, with images showing men on horseback, corralling Haitian asylum seekers. https://t.co/NniBuPyGWX
— KREX 5/Fox 4 (@KREX5_Fox4) October 1, 2021
The senior director then claimed the surge of Haitian migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border is a public health emergency while giving a warning to others against the dangerous feat.
On the other hand, Vice President Kamala Harris also voiced out her distaste for what transpired at the border. She stated the images of border officials whipping Haitians while mounted on horses were “horrible.”
Harris added she will keep in touch with DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in relation to this matter. Harris then said she was troubled over what she saw and noted she gives full support of investigating what transpired at the border.
On the other hand, Republicans threw more fiery criticism against the president. The GOP accused Biden of letting the Haitians believe they could seek refuge in the U.S. by being lenient with his immigration policies.