On Friday President Donald Trump attempted to offset the criticism of his cruel zero tolerance and child separation border policies by inviting to the White House families of Americans killed by undocumented immigrants.
During the event Trump autographed photos of the deceased young people that were featured at the event, according to CNBC.
The White House promoted Friday’s gathering by saying that is purpose was to allow the aggrieved families  to tell their stories of being “permanently separated†from loved ones.
At the event Friday, Trump and many family members spoke critically about what they called “one-sided media coverage†that does not focus on their stories.
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“We weren’t lucky enough to be separated for five days or 10 days; we’re separated permanently,†said Laura Wilkerson, whose son Josh was killed in 2010. “Any time we want to see or be close to our kids, we go to the cemetery, because that’s where they are. We could never speak to them, we can’t Skype with them.â€
“These are the stories that Democrats and people that are weak on immigration, they don’t want to discuss, they don’t want to hear, they don’t want to see, they don’t want to talk about,†Trump said at the somber White House event.
To emphasize the point of the meeting, the White House had prepared by placing in the room a total of 11 photographs of the deceased loved ones of the families who were present. Â Trump, however, seems to have taken the opportunity to combine the solemn nature of the occasion with a celebrity autograph session.
According to CNBC’s reporting, all 11 photos had on them large Trump signatures apparently done with “a large-tipped black pen.â€
The CNBC report did not state when the president had autographed the photos of the dead crime victims of if it was done at the request of the families of the victims. The White House has not responded to a request for comment on the photos.
I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.
