Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas interrupted a reporter to correct her about allegations made against Border Patrol agents.
During a press briefing on Thursday, The Grio’s April Ryan brought up accusations migrants were whipped after they crossed the border.
“The southern border is not just Mexicans, it’s Africans, as we’ve seen particularly with that issue of the Haitians being whipped with the reins on the horses. But what is there…” she began.
However, Mayorkas interrupted her as he said, “Well, let me just correct you right there. Because actually, the investigation concluded that the whipping did not occur.”
Ryan shot back, “I’m sorry, I saw it differently. They were whipped with something from the horse — reins from the horse. Maybe the video or the picture was fixed. But what I saw was totally different.”
Still, Mayorkas said, “I’m going to leave you as corrected.”
Watch the video below:
Mayorkas on whip-gate: "The investigation concluded that the whipping did not occur." pic.twitter.com/afcCOXopEt
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 11, 2023
Ryan’s comments referred to a 2021 incident when Border Patrol agents were accused of whipping Haitian migrants.
After her exchange with Mayorkas, she tweeted out pictures from the incident and wrote, “Maybe its just me but!”
Maybe its just me but! pic.twitter.com/mfgkxc5i3f
— AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) May 11, 2023
And one more the reign is how close or on the person? pic.twitter.com/6k3ZpmPeRQ
— AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) May 11, 2023
The images appeared to show Border Patrol agents using their reins to whip migrants.
President Joe Biden weighed in on the allegations as he said, “To see people treated like they did … people being strapped –- it’s outrageous.”
“I promise you, those people will pay,” he added.
However, an investigation conducted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Personal Responsibility found “no evidence that [Border Patrol agents] involved in this incident struck, intentionally or otherwise, any migrant with their reins.”
But, the agents were referred for discipline.