Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said on Friday the Border Patrol agents on horseback seen trying to prevent Haitians from illegally entering the United States was an example of "systemic racism."
The images of the agents had many liberals and members of the mainstream media falsely accuse them of using whips against the Haitians. That was not the case as the agents are not issued whips, but they have split reins to control the horse.
DHS Sec Mayorkas on the lie that border patrol agents were using whips against illegal immigrants on the southern border:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 24, 2021
"Those images painfully conjured up the worst elements of our nation’s ongoing battle against systemic racism." pic.twitter.com/Szo20DYNOl
MAYORKAS: "The images horrified us in terms of what they suggest and what they conjure up. In terms of not only our nation’s history, but unfortunately the fact that that page of history has not been turned entirely...But I will not prejudge the facts." pic.twitter.com/vCLunOi60s
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 24, 2021
A Border Patrol source explained to Townhall:
"Agents use their reins for a lot of reasons. Primarily it's used to steer the horse, but agents will also spin them sometimes to deter people from getting too close to the horse. If they get too close, the horse can step on them, breaking bones or causing other injuries. Agents also need to maintain control of their reins so they don't lose control of the horse, which can cause injuries to immigrants, the agents, and the horses."We are not aware of anyone being struck with the reins."
At the White House on Friday, President Joe Biden vowed the agents involved in the incident will be punished.
Border Patrol Local 2366 President Jon Anfinsen, which represents Del Rio, told Townhall, “How can President Biden continue with this false narrative when the photographer who took the photos of the horse patrol unit has already said nobody was whipped? What happened to due process?”