‘America first’: Trump flip-flops and joins conservatives turning on US Afghan aides and spurning refugees
Comes after Trump had initially said he would help Afghans who worked with US army
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former president Donald Trump is leading the charge as the right-wing flank of the Republican Party embraces more a more nativist approach to welcoming refugees from Afghanistan.
Mr Trump released a statement in response to images showing planes full of Afghan trying to escape from Kabul to Qatar saying that Americans should be prioritized.
“This plane should have been full of Americans,” a statement from his Save America PAC said. “America First!”
The move is a seeming reversal of what Trump said earlier this week when he hinted that under his administration, he would prioritize refugees.
“Can anyone even imagine taking out our Military before evacuating civilians and others who have been good to our Country and who should be allowed to seek refuge,” Mr Trump said on Monday.
“In addition, these people left topflight and highly sophisticated equipment. Who can believe such incompetence? Under my Administration, all civilians and equipment would have been removed.”
But the former president’s words echo those of Steve Cortes, who previously served on Mr Trump’s Hispanic Advisory Council, who tweeted the same photo asking who would allow them to be neighbors.
“Raise your hand if you want this plane landing in your town,” Mr Cortes tweeted. “America paid unimaginable costs in Afghanistan because of uniparty globalists who dominated the Bush & Obama administrations. No more.”
Similarly, Rep Matt Rosendale of Montana, a freshman Republican congressman, called on Americans to be prioritized.
“The administration should focus on getting Americans out of Afghanistan before it prioritizes unvetted ‘refugees,’” Mr Rosendale tweeted.
Commentators have hit out at the reversal and the new line American conservatives are taking in the face of the humanitarian plight of those aiding the US Army overseas.
Independent columnist Ahmed Baba summarized: “At this point, the right-wing ecosystem is a leaderless circle. 1. Trump or right-wing media pushes messages they *think* the base wants to hear. 2. The base regurgitates it. 3. The entire right-wing ecosystem aligns. 4. Repeat. It’s tough to discern who is truly leading who.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments