Republicans have denounced the “pathetic” and “shameful” White House statement about the murders of Rachel Morin and Jocelyn Nangaray, which made no mention that they were killed by illegal immigrants.
Morin, 37, was raped and murdered on a hiking trail in Maryland in August 2023.
Victor Antonio Martinez Hernandez, 23, a native of El Salvador who entered the United States illegally earlier this month, was arrested and charged.
The body of Jocelyn Nangaray, 12, was found Monday near a creek in Houston.
The two suspects charged with murder are Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26, both from Venezuela.
The White House released statements about both cases this week but did not mention that all three suspects were in the US illegally.
Kim George, Republican congressional candidate from Arkansas, He slammed both remarks as “pathetic.”
“These senseless deaths are the result of poor leadership. I cannot change what happened, but the families deserve better. They must be given justice,” she wrote.
“Joe Biden’s Open Border Will Destroy Another American Family.” Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) wrote:
“We need to secure our borders now.”
President Donald Trump’s campaign has also weighed in on the controversy.
“Villain Joe Biden is a disgrace.” The campaign’s “Strategy Room” account wrote to X.
“These brutal murders of Americans are the work of Biden and the evil Biden immigrants he sent into our country.”
a A White House spokesman told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. “Our deepest condolences go out to Rachel Maurin’s family and loved ones.”
“We can’t comment on ongoing law enforcement cases, but fundamentally we believe that anyone found guilty should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
A White House spokesman issued a nearly identical statement to NBC News about Nungaray on Friday.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of Jocelyn Nangaray,” the statement read.
“We cannot comment on ongoing law enforcement cases,” the spokesperson continued.
“But fundamentally, those found guilty of such heinous and shocking crimes should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Rachel Morin’s mother said this week that former President Trump called to offer his condolences.
“I was deeply moved by President Trump’s kindness and concern,” Patty Morin said.
“He was genuine and really wanted to know how our family was coping,” she added.
“He asked about Raquel and expressed his sincere sympathy for her untimely death.
The grieving mother also criticized Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for calling her daughter a “private individual” during an interview.
“It completely depersonalizes her and treats her like an object,” Patty said, adding that no one from the Biden administration has reached out to her family since her daughter’s suspected killer was arrested.
