Photographer behind viral pictures of Border Patrol brokers on horseback: ‘I’ve by no means seen them whip anybody’

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The photographer behind viral pictures of Border Patrol agents on horseback with Haitian migrants stated the images that induced liberal outrage are being misconstrued and he by no means noticed anybody get whipped.
Paul Ratje’s pictures had been framed by some Democrats and liberal media members as displaying brokers utilizing “whips” to corral Haitians making an attempt to cross the border. However critics pushed again and stated they had been clearly holding reins as they confronted them, and Ratje backed them up.
“I’ve by no means seen them whip anybody,” Ratje told KTSM, an NBC affiliate in El Paso, Texas. “He was swinging it, however it may be misconstrued if you’re wanting on the image.”
The New Mexico-based photographer has been in Del Rio, Texas, since final week and stated he took the images from the Mexican aspect of the border.
MEDIA’S ‘FACT-CHECKERS’ AVOID FALSE NARRATIVE BORDER PATROL AGENTS ‘WHIPPED’ HAITIAN MIGRANTS
“A number of the Haitian males began working, making an attempt to go across the horses,” Ratje stated.
Though it appeared clear to many who the horseback riders had been utilizing reins, and no video or footage ever confirmed anybody being whipped, the narrative shortly unfold amongst progressives and even reached the White Home, which condemned the brokers and ordered an investigation. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., flatly accused the brokers of whipping migrants and stated the state of affairs was “worse that what we witnessed in slavery.”
White Home Press Secretary Jen Psaki was pushed from the left on the difficulty Thursday by some reporters, similar to liberal PBS journalist Yamiche Alcindor, who quoted critics who say the photographs “appear to be slavery.”
“These are pictures which might be traumatizing Haitian People that he promised to deal with respectfully and with humanity. Why is not the president telling folks himself these pictures that individuals say appear to be slavery are flawed?” Alcindor requested.
Regardless of pushback all through the week, the narrative seems ensconced on the left that the brokers acted improperly.
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On Friday, President Joe Biden stated the brokers within the pictures would “pay” for his or her conduct. Vice President Kamala Harris stated this week she was “deeply troubled” by it, and Psaki stated the photographs had been “horrific.” The Biden administration has halted utilizing horses in Del Rio in response to the outrage.
Border Patrol brokers who spoke to Fox New Digital this week had been angered by the pile-on from the administration, calling it an effort to deflect from their maligned dealing with of unlawful immigration.
“This complete state of affairs is blowing up and even liberals are turning on this administration,” one agent informed Fox Information. “[Harris] is putting blame on brokers to deflect as a result of she and Biden should not going to alter how they’re dealing with this.”
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One other supply was extra blunt, saying that the outrage “simply proves what absolute idiots they’re.”
Fox Information’ Adam Shaw, Peter Hasson, and Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.
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