After the liberal media initially refused to report that the murderer of University of Georgia student Laken Hope Riley was an illegal immigrant who was arrested multiple times, we have now reached the phase of the coverage where Republicans noticing the problem was the concerning issue of the story. That seemed to be the reaction CNN’s Jake Tapper had during Monday’s The Lead when he whined that “Republicans [were], obviously, seizing on this horrific tragedy.”
But before getting to bellyaching about Republicans calling attention to the crisis at the U.S./Mexico border that was literally getting people killed, Tapper openly admitted that it played a role in the murder. “And his status as an undocumented Venezuelan migrant is now renewing the debate over immigration policies,” he announced.
Tapper went on to report that the murderer had a long, violent history, was in and out of the American justice system, and was never deported:
In fact, the suspect had already been arrested first in 2022 after entering the us illegally; then again last September, charged with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17; and also a motor vehicle license violation. The suspect was released before a detainer could be issued according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE.
“All of which, has prompted many in Georgia to wonder why this violent man was allowed to remain in the U.S. for so long after so many red flags,” he rhetorically asked. But Tapper didn’t seem to want real answers.
Later in the program, he whined that Republicans were citing the murder as a reason to get border security under control. “So, Republicans, obviously, seizing on this horrific tragedy at the University of Georgia. This girl, this nursing student, killed by an undocumented Venezuelan migrant. And they're seizing on this as an example of Biden's failure to protect the American people, to secure the border,” he decried as if this wasn’t the result of failed liberal border policies.
He also appeared to huff about former President Trump posting about it on his social media site:
Today, President Trump posted on his social media site, Truth Social, quote, “When I am your president, we will immediately seal the border, stop the invasion, and on day one, we will begin the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals in American history. May God bless Laken Riley and her family.” That's the poor nursing student that was killed. “Our prayers are with you.”
Former “Republican strategist,” Doug Heye kvetched that “politics enter these things very quickly. And Donald Trump knows how to take advantage of a situation like this and exploit it.”
If that’s the case, Tapper could be credibly accused of seizing on the Parkland school shooting in 2019 in order to push gun control and attack Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and gun rights advocate Dana Loesch with his so-called “town hall” event. He even got a little award for his little show trial against them.
The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read:
CNN’s The Lead
February 26, 2024
4:17:15 p.m. EasternJAKE TAPPER: A tragedy in our national lead. A vigil in Athens, Georgia this afternoon for Laken Hope Riley. She was the nursing student found dead after going for a jog on the campus of the University of Georgia, the suspect in her brutal killing is facing charges including felony murder. And his status as an undocumented Venezuelan migrant is now renewing the debate over immigration policies.
In fact, the suspect had already been arrested first in 2022 after entering the us illegally; then again last September, charged with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17; and also a motor vehicle license violation. The suspect was released before a detainer could be issued according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE.
All of which, has prompted many in Georgia to wonder why this violent man was allowed to remain in the U.S. for so long after so many red flags.
(…)
4:29:08 p.m. Eastern
TAPPER: So, Republicans, obviously, seizing on this horrific tragedy at the University of Georgia. This girl, this nursing student, killed by an undocumented Venezuelan migrant. And they're seizing on this as an example of Biden's failure to protect the American people, to secure the border.
Today, President Trump posted on his social media site, Truth Social, quote, “When I am your president, we will immediately seal the border, stop the invasion, and on day one, we will begin the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals in American history. May God bless Laken Riley and her family.” That's the poor nursing student that was killed. “Our prayers are with you.”
What's your reaction to that?
DOUG HEYE: Well, first, obviously, it's a tragedy and we should recognize that before the politics enter this. But let’s not be naïve, politics enter these things very quickly. And Donald Trump knows how to take advantage of a situation like this and exploit it.
(…)
