A Republican lawmaker Wednesday accused an unnamed "popular commentator" of threatening to destroy him if he pushed bipartisan border control legislation before the 2024 presidential election.
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) made this accusation in a Senate session to vote on his bipartisan $118 billion border security-foreign aid to Israel and Ukraine bill that political analysts believe could be dead on arrival.
“If you try to move a bill that solves the border crisis during the presidential year, I will do whatever I can to destroy you,” Lankford said he was told. “Because I do not want you to solve this during the presidential election.”
Lankford added, “They have been faithful to their promise.”
The Republican lawmaker did not name the commentator who purportedly threatened him, but said the conversation happened about four weeks ago.
Lankford noted the conversation happened “before they knew any of the contents of the bill.”
“Nothing was out at that point,” Lankford said.
He went on to complain of “the Facebook post” and “the Twitter post” he said misstated facts about the policy.
“A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on,” Lankford said. “It’s been hard to overcome.”
The bill has faced a deluge of criticism since its Sunday night release, with perhaps the most powerful voice against belonging to former President Donald Trump.
Politico reports Trump and his allies are desperate to scuttle a bill that would be seen as a political victory for his opponent in the upcoming election, President Joe Biden.
“As the leader of our party, there is zero chance I will support this horrible, open borders betrayal of America,” Trump said about two weeks ago. “It’s not going to happen, and I’ll fight it all the way.”
Video of Lankford’s comment spurred outrage when it X, both at the unnamed commentator and the Republican's senator not calling him out by name.
“It is hard to believe this is actually happening,” replied Karen Hunter. “Right before our eyes.”
“I’m glad the senator said this but I wish he said it 4 weeks ago when it happened,” added Anne Zigalis. “And he should name the commentator! This is wrong and it has to stop.”
“This is disgusting!” wrote Tommy Lavin. “The Republicans need to take their party back. MAGA is out of control.”
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