According to the New York Post, President Trump is once again calling MS-13 gang members “animals” and “violent animals,” in an unfortunate conflation with the gang’s criminal behavior with its mostly Central American demographic—which some would say is a dog-whistle indicating it’s ok to dehumanize immigrants and foreigners.
In today’s White House press release which details the 2016 MS-13 murder of two teenage girls in Long Island—Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas—the Office of the Press Secretary statement refers to members of the aforementioned gang as “VIOLENT ANIMALS” in its title, and “violent animals” in its subheading, and “animals” in its body.
Trump is scheduled to speak at Bethpage, Long Island’s Morrelly Homeland Security Center on Wednesday, which will presumably see the President focus on security, immigration, and the alleged dangers of having a diverse, culturally bountiful society.
If last week’s remarks were any indication, Trump will not be holding back in terms of aggressive, confrontational rhetoric. “So when MS-13 comes in, when the other gang members come into our country, I refer to them as animals,” he said. “And guess what? I always will. But we’re getting them out by the thousands. But it’s a big, dangerous job. And they’re able, in some cases, to come back in or new groups come in also from the gangs.”
Tom Suozzi, a Democrat and Representative for Bethpage and other New York communities, had reportedly not received a single call, email or invitation to the event. He is, however, prepared to attend—should the President ask him to. “If the president invites you to something, you attend,” said Mike Florio, Suozzi’s chief of staff.
