Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has criticized fellow presidential hopeful Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for mischaracterizing her stance on admitting refugees from Gaza. During a town hall event in Iowa, Haley addressed DeSantis’ claims that she supported accepting Gazan refugees. Haley vehemently denied these allegations, stating that she had never made such statements and that DeSantis’ ad on the matter was a lie.
DeSantis’ ad, released by his Never Back Down PAC, featured footage of Haley defending sending assistance to the West Bank and Gaza in 2017, alongside a recent clip of her stating that the U.S. should not accept Gazan refugees. Despite this, DeSantis continues to accuse Haley of wanting to vet refugees from the Gaza Strip, a claim she denies.
In response to DeSantis’ accusations, Haley argued that she had always supported distinguishing between terrorists and individuals seeking freedom. She addressed DeSantis’ reasoning for claiming that she supports vetting refugees, pointing out that this does not necessarily mean wanting them to enter the U.S. She criticized DeSantis for misinterpreting her comments and accused him of attempting to cover his tracks due to the blowback he received.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Rep. Dean Phillips from Minnesota is reportedly laying the groundwork for a potential primary challenge to President Joe Biden. Though Phillips has yet to make a final decision, preparations are underway for a potential announcement at the State House in New Hampshire. Phillips confirmed having a conversation with New Hampshire Democratic leadership as he considers entering the primary race. The deadline to file for the New Hampshire primary falls on October 27th.
While Phillips contemplates a run, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley acknowledged the high level of support for President Biden among likely voters. He emphasized the challenges that Phillips or any other challenger would face in competing against Biden. Despite the difficulties, Buckley extended a gracious invitation to Phillips to join the primary race.
Additionally, Senator Tim Scott called on President Biden to denounce “the Squad” for their remarks following Hamas’ recent terrorist attack against Israel. Scott criticized Biden’s inability to speak the truth on the issue, attributing this to his allegiance to the progressive members of Congress, known as “the Squad.” Scott expressed his desire for Democrats in Congress to hold these members accountable for their rhetoric, which he believes aligns with Hamas’ propaganda. He further criticized Biden’s funding proposals for Ukraine and Israel, stating that the president has failed to condemn the Squad’s actions, which he believes jeopardize lives.
Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, both members of the Squad, have been vocal critics of Israel. Tlaib recently refused to apologize for suggesting that Israel was to blame for a hospital explosion in Gaza, despite evidence proving otherwise.
As the campaign trail heats up, these developments shed light on the ongoing discussions and disagreements within the political landscape.