Things went way off the rails as the Trump White House trotted out Stephen Miller to push for the xenophobic RAISE Act that Trump endorsed today. When asked by a reporter for proof of some his claims on the impact of immigration on low wage labor, Miller blew up, called the proposal common sense, and offered zero proof.
Video:
Glenn Thrush of The New York Times asked for one statistic to back up Miller’s claims of a correlation between hiring policies and immigration. Miller responded with a total non-answer. Miller then tried to change the discussion to this policy being common sense. He said, ” Let’s also use common sense here folks. At the end of the day, why do special interests want to bring in more low skilled workers?”
To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.
Thrush followed up by saying, “I didn’t ask for common sense. I asked for statistics.”
Miller blew up and replied, “Maybe we’ll make a carve out in the bill that says The New York Times can hire all of the less paid workers from other countries, and see how you feel then about low wage substitution. Maybe it’s time we had compassion Glenn for American workers.”
Thrush pressed for proof of Miller’s point, and Miller could only spin xenophobic nonsense.
Miller was also asked about the hypocrisy of Trump wanting more low wage immigrant workers for his business while supporting a crack down on low wage immigration:
That went about as well as one would expect.
The Trump White House can’t handle challenges. They have no facts for any of their positions. All of their appeals are based on the one singular of holding Trump’s base of support to get Trump reelected.
The evidence that does exist suggests that there is already a low wage labor shortage in the United States, and the RAISE Act would harm US economic productivity even more. All reporters at the White House Daily Briefing should do what Trush did and demand statistics and proof to back up the White House’s claims. Journalists aren’t props to be used to help the White House spread propaganda.
Facts matter and this White House needs to be held accountable every single day.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
