San Diego, California – San Diego and the southern parts of California have been under constant pressure in recent months as a result of the huge influx of migrants. Since the start of the year, the San Diego sector has become the busiest among all border sectors, with thousands of migrants trying to enter California both legally and illegally every day. The encounters with migrants have skyrocketed at rates unseen since the 1990s, mostly because Texas has managed to secure the border, forcing those who enter the country to seek alternative routes.
Other issues
Meanwhile, California has several major issues to deal with. The house insurance meltdown, fast-food layoffs due to April’s minimum wage hike, massive budget deficit, and spending cuts are some of the problems Californians have to deal with every day. Recently, a report revealed that the decline in house prices in some of California’s largest cities can be attributed to the state’s declining population, which is a result of the state’s struggling economy and job losses following the state’s inadequate recovery from the pandemic.
Gov. Newsom is under pressure
Since Democrats have a majority in the state’s legislature, state lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom have been under constant fire for how they have led the state in recent years. Parents of students recently gave Newsom the lowest education approval rating since he became governor, while different groups affected by the spending cuts in an effort to balance the massive budget gap are disturbed by recent actions and have publicly slammed Gavin Newsom. This week, Newsom found himself in another unpleasant situation after he was caught lying publicly.
The issue
California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing criticism for stating that California has increased the National Guard presence at the U.S. Southern Border twofold. Critics are calling his statement false. Last Thursday, Newsom uploaded a video on social media from the San Ysidro Port of Entry. In the video, he mentioned that his staff was coordinating with both the National Guard and Customs and Border Patrol agents.
“We have 390 National Guardsmen and women that have been working, particularly as it relates to fentanyl, here in the state of California. Look, at the bottom line at the end of the day, they need more resources,” he said.
“Everybody needs more resources, and the Republican Party has been consistently standing in the way of providing the resources to support the men and women working hard, not only here at the border, but throughout the state of California and this country, to address the issues related to the border,” Newsom continued.
California has doubled our National Guard at the border that are working to stop the flow of fentanyl.
While the GOP play games and Mike Johnson searches for his spine — we’re out here doing the work. pic.twitter.com/69dhQYwtoF
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 13, 2024
Debunked
Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin reported on Thursday that he didn’t spot any California National Guard troops in Jacumba, a location where large groups of adult men from various countries are entering illegally. He noted that Border Patrol agents are struggling to manage the situation as migrants are found walking on highways and even arranging their own Lyft rides while they wait to be collected.
“I sent Gov. Newsom’s below post to a BP agent in Jacumba, who responded by laughing & telling me CA ‘isn’t doing s—’ to help them with illegal crossings there, and any soldiers that they see there are National Guard from other states working w/ DHS under federal Title 10 order,” Melugin said.
“He said CA soldiers are helping with drug interdiction at ports of entry – not the mass crossing hot spots in Jacumba. If the Governor’s office has any images of CA National Guard helping Border Patrol in Jacumba, I’m happy to update,” he added.
“We’re at the CA border right now in Jacumba, Governor Newsom. We see migrants illegally crossing all hours of the day. From China, Iran, Yemen. Nepal. Haven’t seen a single CA National Guard over the past week,” he posted on X.
The reactions
Many X users found Newsom’s video inappropriate. These are some of the comments:
“Are you seriously trying to act like you care about the border invasion?! After you’ve helped let in 8 million+?! Insane gaslighting,” one user commented on the video.
Another user, @themarketswork, said: “California has 24,000 National Guard Troops. Newsom has 390 of them at the border. 390. It’s almost unnerving how easily Newsom lies.”
“What Gavin Newsom doesn’t want you to know is California is the new number one spot for illegal immigrant crossings. The first time since the 1980s. Another Newsom win,” Kevin Dalton ironically commented while sharing a video of migrants.
What Gavin Newsom doesn’t want you to know is California is the new number one spot for illegal immigrant crossings.
The first time since the 1980s.
Another Newsom win. https://t.co/7MtzzntIGY
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) June 13, 2024
