Border Agents Right to Use Tear Gas [OPINION]

The Trump Administration and the Customs and Border Protection folks are defending the use of tear gas against hundreds of rioters who stormed the U.S. southern border with Mexico on Sunday against insane criticism from the left and the media.

How hypocritical that the same people were silent when Barack Obama pepper sprayed migrants under nearly the exact circumstances just five years ago.

Hundreds of rioting protesters attempted to crash the border while hurling rocks and bottles at CBP agents. Were those agents expected to stand there and be pummeled without protecting themselves? Their orders were to prevent the mob from crossing illegally into our country. They succeeded. Those border agents have every right to return home to their families intact.

The very idea that the border patrol would be subject to such vile and ignorant criticism from loudmouth actors and partisan politicians is bad enough, but the media should know better.

Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, told Fox News on Monday that the use of tear gas was warranted and justified.

"The way these people rushed the border was absolutely monstrous," he said. "They pushed women and children up front, and then behind those women and children, they started throwing rocks, cement bricks ... bottles at our Border Patrol agents."

President Trump also defended the use of tear gas while speaking to reporters outside the White House on Monday.

"They had to use it; they were being rushed by some very tough people," Trump said. "And so they used tear gas. Here's the bottom line: no one's coming into our country unless they come in legally."

Our border patrol agents and immigration enforcement officials have a tough and gritty job to do, and should not be used as pawns in a partisan political debate by those who dislike the president.

Any time they are assigned to protect the sovereignty and integrity of this nation, they should be afforded the tools and the support they need to ensure they can do the job effectively.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.