Rice Becerra White House immigration: In Franklin Foer’s book “The Last Politician,” he discusses the conflict between the White House and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra regarding unaccompanied migrant children. This story is quite interesting. Reports claim President Biden and top officials, including Susan Rice, were upset that Becerra declined to house migrant children.
In a March 30, 2021, Oval Office meeting, Biden showed anger, lashing out at Becerra for his lack of knowledge about HHS’s ability to care for the new children. “Who should I fire in this meeting?” the president asked, emphasizing the need for a quick resolution. Kamala Harris, the VP, didn’t hold back either. She said to Becerra, “You’re doing your job well.”
The issue began when the White House instructed HHS to accept more migrant children from the Border Patrol. Becerra argued for one caregiver for every eight children due to staffing. The sudden increase in children would affect the ratio, potentially impacting the level of care.
The White House Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice discussed the issue with Becerra in a heated phone call involving over two dozen White House officials. She said the White House’s request might not be the best option, but HHS care would be better. Becerra said he would act with written instructions from the president.
Rice disliked his request. She said, “That’s not how the President works.” He told you to do something. Becerra said, “I wasn’t there,” Rice replied, “The rest of us were.” You must come through.
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The Becerra vs. White House fight highlights a persistent problem for the Biden administration: the border issue. Politico reported in 2021 that the White House was unhappy with Becerra’s indecisiveness. They thought he was slow to adapt to the changing immigration situation. They requested HHS to expedite the intake of migrant children.
However, Becerra was upset about pre-confirmation administration choices. Sources say he disliked the White House’s swift removal of immigration limits and rules.
The Biden administration’s handling of the border situation is complex, and this story adds another layer. While the White House aimed to find answers, the disagreement on the approach and responsible party highlights the difficulty in resolving. Foer’s “The Last Politician” offers a unique glimpse into how the Biden administration handled a crucial issue. The tension among leaders highlights the urgency and difficulty of handling such a significant problem.
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