President Biden referred to former President Trump as “that loser” in remarks Tuesday at the Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies (APAICS) annual gala.
In his speech, Biden took aim at Trump for his role in nullifying a bipartisan border agreement earlier this year, which initially had the support of even some of the most staunch conservatives. Biden called on Republicans to “act” on the legislation.
“This bipartisan project has majority support in the House and Senate. But I was told that that other guy, that loser,” Biden said, referring to the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
Biden paused briefly as the crowd laughed, apparently in response to the comment.
“I think he’s having problems. Trump called the Republicans to block the Senate bill, got on the phone and said it would be a win for Biden and a loss for him, so they need to make sure you won’t allow the bill to come to a vote,” he continued. Biden. .
“But he is wrong. Republicans in Congress must act because it is the right thing to do and America needs it done,” Biden added.
Earlier this year, Trump criticized the bipartisan border security agreement, crafted in part by conservative Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), calling it a “death wish” for the Republican Party and “a great gift to the Democrats.”
The agreement included $20 billion for border security and gave the federal government new authorities to control the border, including temporary authority to expel migrants when the average number of daily crossings exceeds a set threshold. The agreement would also have ended “capture and release,” raised standards for asylum exams and sought to process applications more quickly, among other provisions.
The deal was attached to national security funding for Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific allies — but that part ended up passing on its own after the border security deal fell apart.
The Hill reached out to Trump’s team for a response.
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