Republican Representative Anthony D’Esposito from Long Island accused Democratic opponent Laura Gillen of aligning with the Harris-Biden administration, which he claims has compromised border security over the past three and a half years. D’Esposito, alongside former Congressman Lee Zeldin, State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, and New Hyde Park Mayor Chris Devane, criticised Gillen’s shift from her previous stance on border issues during a village event near the Queens border. He recalled how Gillen dismissed concerns about the border as fearmongering during their last contest two years ago, which he narrowly won. Now, D’Esposito asserts, Democrats are advocating for border security, despite being responsible for its failures. He, as part of Donald Trump’s team, aims to strengthen border security.
D’Esposito accused Gillen of supporting Vice President Kamala Harris and President Biden in implementing detrimental policies and reversing Trump-era measures that secured the border. He referenced federal data indicating over 400,000 illegal entrants to the US are convicted criminals, including 13,099 for murder and over 200,000 for sexual assault in their home countries. He blamed Harris, Biden, and Gillen for allowing these individuals to remain in the US.
Zeldin criticised the Democrats’ track record on border security, contrasting the previous administration’s ability to close the border with the current administration’s decision to open it. He challenged Harris’s recent proposals for border solutions, questioning why they aren’t being implemented immediately.
GOP LI Rep. D’Esposito ties Dem rival Laura Gillen to Biden-Harris’ ‘broke the border’ policies: ‘Ran shotgun’: Gillen ran “shotgun” for “every disastrous policy that (Biden) put into place and every executive order that he rescinded from the… https://t.co/y2fGJPZIVU #NahBabyNah pic.twitter.com/pM5qeRENwT
— NahBabyNah #Trump (@NahBabyNah) October 30, 2024
Zeldin highlighted the end of the “remain in Mexico” policy, halted border wall construction, and the repeal of Title 42 during the COVID-19 pandemic as actions weakening border control. Gillen responded by accusing D’Esposito of failing to secure the border during his nearly two-year tenure in Congress and criticised him for supporting Texas Governor Abbott’s move to send migrants to New York without offering solutions or financial aid to New York taxpayers.
Gillen promised to work across party lines to secure the border, curb fentanyl flow, and resolve the migrant crisis if elected. She emphasised the need for a bipartisan and lasting solution. Recent public polls indicate a competitive race, with Gillen sometimes leading by as much as 12 points in House District 4, spanning Long Island’s South Shore to central Nassau County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What did Representative Anthony D’Esposito accuse Laura Gillen of?
He accused her of aligning with the Harris-Biden administration and compromising border security.
How did Lee Zeldin criticize the Democrats on border issues?
Zeldin contrasted the previous administration’s border control with the current administration’s approach.
What did Gillen accuse D’Esposito of regarding border security?
She accused him of failing to secure the border during his nearly two-year tenure.
What solutions did Gillen propose for border issues?
Gillen promised to work across party lines to secure the border and resolve the migrant crisis.
What did Zeldin say about the ‘remain in Mexico’ policy?
He highlighted its end as a factor weakening border control.
