Speaker Johnson hits Biden with fact-check after Biden demands more power over border crisis: 'No more excuses'

Speaker Mike Johnson (R) showed on Tuesday that President Joe Biden has not exhausted his authority related to immigration enforcement.

Before departing the White House for a campaign event in Florida, Biden insisted that there is nothing more that he can do to alleviate the border crisis, calling on lawmakers to "just give me the power."

"I've done all I can do. Just give me the power," Biden said. "I've asked from the very day I got into office. Give me the Border Patrol. Give me the people — give me the people, the judges. Give me the people who can stop this and make it work right."

But that's "simply untrue," according to Speaker Johnson.

"He's either lying or misinformed," Johnson responded, listing specific authorities Biden is not using to stymie the crisis.

"Here are just a few of the authorities at his disposal — if only he would use them: Presidential Authority to Restrict Entry 212(f), Expedited Removal 235(b)(1), Discretionary Detention Authority 236(a), Mandatory Detention 236(c)," the speaker explained. "No more excuses."

The fact-check comes days after Biden promised to "shut down" the border — only if lawmakers pass a controversial bill that Republicans say would do little to stymie the migrant crisis.

Johnson similarly responded to those claims with specific actions Biden has at his disposal that he refuses to use.

"As I explained to him in a letter late last year, and have specifically reiterated to him on multiple occasions since, he can and must take executive action immediately to reverse the catastrophe he has created," Johnson said. "The Immigration and Nationality Act coupled with recent Supreme Court precedent give him 'ample authority' to 'suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.'"

Additionally, Biden can "begin to secure the border by ending catch-and-release, ceasing exploitation of parole authority, reinstating the Remain in Mexico program, expanding the use of expedited removal authority, and renewing construction of the border wall," Johnson explained.

"The president must start by using the broad legal authority he already possesses to reclaim our nation’s sovereignty and end the mass release of illegal aliens into our country," he added.

The idea that Biden would "shut down" the border is basically a farce.

If Congress passes the border bill — and that's a big "if" — tens of thousands of migrants would still be allowed to enter the U.S. each week, the vast majority of whom would be released into the U.S. pending immigration court proceedings.

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