By Gram Slattery
Washington (Multibagger) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump made controversial remarks on Monday, suggesting that there are "a lot of bad genes" in the United States, particularly among immigrants living illegally in the country.
In an interview with conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt, Trump referenced the immigration policies of his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, and claimed that 13,000 immigrants living in the U.S. were murderers. He went on to say that he believes murder is in their genes and that there are many "bad genes" in the country.
Trump's statements seem to stem from a letter from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to Republican Representative Tony Gonzales, which revealed that 13,099 individuals on ICE's "non-detained docket" have been convicted of homicide. These individuals include both legal and illegal immigrants, many of whom are currently in state or federal prison.
While the Trump campaign defended his comments, clarifying that he was specifically referring to murderers and not immigrants in general, the White House condemned his remarks as hateful and inappropriate.
Despite Trump's assertions, academic research suggests that immigrants living in the U.S. illegally do not commit crimes at a higher rate than U.S.-born or naturalized citizens.
Overall, Trump's comments have sparked controversy and raised concerns about the use of divisive language in political discourse.
Analysis:
Donald Trump's statements about "bad genes" in the U.S. and his claims about immigrant murderers have stirred up controversy and drawn criticism. While his campaign defended his remarks, citing a focus on murderers specifically, the White House condemned his language as inappropriate and hateful.
It is important to note that research indicates immigrants living in the U.S. illegally do not have higher crime rates than other segments of the population. Therefore, Trump's assertions may not be supported by data.
These comments highlight the ongoing debate around immigration and the use of inflammatory rhetoric in political discourse. It is crucial for individuals to critically analyze such statements and consider the broader context when forming opinions on these issues.