On a recent episode of Fox News, host Maria Bartiromo confronted Republican Representative Eric Burlison over a poll indicating that many voters blame both former President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers for the ongoing crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Fox News survey, conducted from August 9 to 12 with 1,105 registered voters, revealed that 87 percent view the border situation as an urgent issue, marking a 6 percent increase since February. While the majority attribute the crisis to the Biden administration’s enforcement failures—71 percent specifically blame this administration—57 percent of respondents also hold Trump and Senate Republicans accountable.
During the interview, Bartiromo highlighted the poll results and pressed Burlison about the Republican party’s role in legislative gridlock, particularly mentioning a bipartisan $118 billion border deal from earlier this year. Burlison argued that the legislation only provided a superficial fix rather than addressing the core issues, suggesting it was merely an attempt to “absolve” the initial influx of immigrants.
Republican Senator James Lankford countered Burlison’s claims on social media, asserting that the emergency measures were intended to tighten border security rather than allow increased crossings.
The proposed bill aimed to implement stricter immigration rules, enhance ICE’s detention capacity, expedite asylum processes, and increase Border Patrol funding. However, Burlison focused on anecdotal incidents related to crime and drug issues at the border, avoiding a clear response to Bartiromo’s questions about the poll’s implications.
As the upcoming elections approach, immigration and border security are anticipated to play a crucial role in political campaigns. The Fox News poll indicates immigration is tied with abortion at 14 percent as a key issue for voters, while 38 percent deem the economy the top concern.