NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., acknowledged Tuesday on MSNOW’s “Money, Power, Politics” that Democrats have failed to give voters a clear immigration plan and rely too heavily on opposition to President Donald Trump, as he discussed the party’s challenges during Arizona’s gubernatorial primary.
“We don’t have a plan for immigration. We’re not able to say what, actually, Democrats should do to fix the problem,” Moulton said. “All we are is opposition to Trump.”
The Massachusetts congressman and U.S. Senate candidate said he had tested voters’ understanding of the party’s position during town halls across his state.
Rep. Seth Moulton said Democrats lack a clear immigration plan and have become defined by their opposition to President Donald Trump. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FORCED A FALSE CHOICE ON AMERICANS ABOUT IMMIGRATION
“I’ll ask people, ‘How many of you are opposed to Trump’s immigration enforcement?’ Every hand in the room goes up,” he said. He added, “Like, I’ve asked thousands of people in Massachusetts this question.”
The congressman also faulted Democrats for dismissing other voter concerns, including inflation during former President Joe Biden‘s administration.
“Under Biden, we said inflation is not really a big deal. It’s transitory. It’s going to go away,” Moulton said. “The point is we have this history of kind of just like washing over problems and not addressing real concerns that voters have.”
Moulton criticized Democrats for downplaying inflation during former President Joe Biden’s administration. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Fox News Digital reached out to the Democratic National Committee for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
When host Stephanie Ruhle noted that Republicans benefited from having a defined immigration approach, Moulton contrasted Trump’s enforcement agenda with his party’s response.
“This is criminal what Trump is doing,” Moulton said. “And the fact that we don’t even have an answer to that is a real problem.”
The Massachusetts Democrat said his party has a history of “washing over problems” instead of addressing voters’ concerns. (Getty Images)
HOUSE REPUBLICANS MOVE TO MAKE TRUMP’S BORDER POLICIES PERMANENT
Moulton outlined his own approach, calling for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, prosecution of officials who break the law and reforms encouraging legal immigration.
“So, yes, abolish ICE, prosecute these people for breaking the law, but then show how we’re going to fix the problem,” he said.
The congressman said the current system made the legal route unnecessarily difficult.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE
“Right now, it’s easier for people to come across the border than to go through the bureaucratic process,” Moulton said.
Moulton’s congressional website states that he supports comprehensive immigration reform that secures the border, curbs illegal immigration, expands legal pathways and provides a path to citizenship. In January, he backed legislation intended to allow ICE officers to be prosecuted for misconduct.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Rep. Moulton is challenging Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., in the state’s Sept. 1 Democratic Senate primary. A University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll conducted June 18-23 found Markey leading Moulton 41% to 35% among likely Democratic primary voters, with 23% undecided. The poll had a 5.1-point margin of error.
