Speaker Johnson: The White House Misled the American People

February 8, 2024

Contact: Taylor Haulsee

WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Mike Johnson released the following statement after reports indicated the Biden administration plans to use its executive power to address the ongoing border catastrophe. The reports come after the White House repeatedly said it lacked the authority to secure the border, and months after Speaker Johnson urged the President to use his executive authority to secure the border.

“For months, the President and his White House have claimed they need a new law to take any action on the border. That was patently false, and they knew it all along. They have clearly misled the American people.

“It is now apparent the President kept the border open as a bargaining chip against Congress and lied about it for months. His actions are as shameful as they are dangerous.

“As I’ve said for months, in public and private communication with the White House and the American people, the President has ample authority to take a range of actions to stem the flow of illegal immigration. He has a moral and legal responsibility to do all he can to try to reverse the catastrophe he has created.”

Instances in which the White House falsely claimed it lack executive authority to secure the border:

January 30^th, 2024: President Biden said, “I’ve done all I can do” to secure the border.

January 29^th, 2024: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “It’s not true” that the President has the legal authority to secure the border.

January 24, 2024: NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said, “there’s a limit to what executive actions can do, we really need support from Congress.”

December 21, 2023: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “the President has done everything that he can… on his own.”