Trump Aides Aim To Build GOP Opposition To Afghan Refugees

[Tom Rinaldo]

5. This severely undercuts one of the most effective (false) Republican talking points against Biden

Namely, that he abandoned all of those brave Afghan translators (and their families) who fought shoulder to shoulder with U.S. Troops against the Taliban. The talking point is cynically unfair of course. Trump's administration sabotaged the process used to get Visas to the U.S. for our Afghan allies, and planned to rush the U'S. out of Afghanistan 4 months earlier than Biden extended our presence there for. Meanwhile Biden's Administration sped up the paper work process for visas before the sudden total collapse of the Afghan government knocked the floor out from under us. But still the thought of American allies being left to their fate with the Taliban justifiably pains many. Trump's allies are throwing away their claim for sympathy toward the plight of Afghan translators if they organize to demonize their refugee status in America. Yes that plays to the xenophobic right, but it negates one of their most effective talking points with American centrists and the veterans of Middle East combat. It will also re frame the mainstream media narrative in ways unfavorable to Republicans, just when the media had been predisposed to beat up on Biden over Afghanistan.