President Biden referred to former President Trump as “that loser” in remarks Tuesday at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies’ (APAICS) annual gala.
In his speech, Biden took aim at Trump for his role in killing a bipartisan border agreement earlier this year that initially had the support of even some of the staunchest conservatives. Biden called on Republicans to “act” on the legislation.
“That bipartisan bill has majority support in the House and Senate. But I was told, that other guy, that loser,” Biden said, referring to the presumptive GOP nominee for president.
Biden paused briefly as the crowd laughed, apparently in response to the comment.
“I think he’s having trouble. Trump called Republicans to block that Senate bill, got on the phone and said it’d be a win for Biden and a loser for him, so they have to make sure you don’t allow it to get to a vote,” Biden continued.
“But he’s wrong. Republicans in Congress must act because it’s the right thing to do, and America needs it done,” Biden added.
Earlier this year, Trump railed against the bipartisan border security agreement, crafted in part by conservative Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), calling it a “death wish” for the GOP and “a great gift to the Democrats.”
The agreement included $20 billion for border security and gave the federal government new authorities to control the border, including temporary authority to expel migrants when the average number of daily crossings exceeded a set threshold. The agreement also would have ended “catch and release,” would have raised standards for asylum screenings, and sought to process claims quicker, among other provisions.
The agreement was attached to national security funding for Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific allies – but that portion ended up passing on its own, after the border security agreement was tanked.
The Hill has reached out to Trump’s team for a response.
