Tom Cotton: The Border Must Be Secure, ‘It’s a National Security Issue’

Tom Cotton: The Border Must Be Secure, ‘It’s a National Security Issue’ (Washington Free Beacon)

Congressman and Senator-elect Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) told NBC’s Chuck Todd that securing the border was a national security issue, casting aside accusations that linking terrorism and border security was merely ‘campaign rhetoric.’

“Hezbollah has tried to launch terrorist attacks right here in Washington, D.C. They’re under federal indictment collaborating with locals in Mexico to cross our border to attack us here,” Cotton said.

“As long as our border is open and it’s defenseless, then it’s not just an immigration issue, it’s a national security issue. We know these drug cartels in Mexico are focused primarily on power and profit. They’ll branch out into any activity if it brings them more money and helps them consolidate control. That’s yet another reason why we need control of our border.”

When Todd asked Cotton if his rhetoric created an obstacle to passing comprehensive immigration reform and accused him of “fear-mongering,” Cotton doubled down and pointed out that Americans should indeed be fearful of potential threats posed by the porous U.S.-Mexico border.

“The Islamic State is cutting the heads off of Americans right now, and their leader has said they want to strike us in the United States,” Cotton said. “That’s something we should be fearful of and that we should take a stance against, whether in Iraq and Syria or whether it’s securing our southern border.”