A former Trump administration official clashed with a CNN anchor in a heated exchange after he was fact-checked about birthright citizenship during a live broadcast on Tuesday.
Ken Cuccinelli, former Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security under President Donald Trump, was talking to CNN anchor Eric Hill when the host clarified a talking point Cuccinelli was using referring to "birthright tourism," claiming that it was a rampant problem — just hours after the Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship and rejected Trump's executive order that declared people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.
Hill explained that it might be a concern and that the numbers were not clear. She pushed back on the unfounded claim as Cuccinelli tried to talk over her in disagreement.
"The American people, in terms of polling, do overwhelmingly support birthright citizenship as it stands now," Hill said.
Cuccinelli appeared frustrated.
"Boy, you are a left-wing hack!" Cuccinelli said, as his screen abruptly went black.
Hill was stunned and responded quickly.
"Wow, it's unfortunate that you felt the need to say that," she said. "I appreciate you coming on here to answer fair questions."