Amid criticism over President Trump’s description of some undocumented immigrants as “animals,” the White House is doubling down on the phrase, reports Politico. The press office issued a 488-word release Monday titled “What You Need To Know About the Violent Animals of MS-13” that described members of the predominantly Salvadoran gang as “animals” 10 times. “Too many innocent Americans have fallen victim to the unthinkable violence of MS-13’s animals,” the release said. “President Trump’s entire Administration is working tirelessly to bring these violent animals to justice.” Trump last week declared in a meeting on immigration that some people being deported “aren’t people – they’re animals.” The comment came in response to a comment about MS-13.
“It’s just something between the White House and the media,” said Rick Tyler, the former communications director for Sen. Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign and an administration critic. “And their base loves it. They love sticking it to the media.” The language in the press release was in line with Trump’s frequent characterization of undocumented immigrants as criminal or subhuman, starting with his June 2015 speech declaring his presidential candidacy. “Fake News Media had me calling Immigrants, or Illegal Immigrants, ‘Animals.’ Wrong! They were begrudgingly forced to withdraw their stories. I referred to MS 13 Gang Members as ‘Animals,’ a big difference – and so true. Fake News got it purposely wrong, as usual!” Trump wrote on Twitter. Monday’s release indicates the administration’s eagerness to keep the story in the headlines ahead of a planned roundtable on immigration later this week.