Iraq War veteran Paul Rieckhoff dismantled GOP strategist Scott Jennings Monday evening on CNN during a discussion of Donald Trump’s plan to use members of the U.S. armed forces to round up and deport immigrants.
“It is really a sacred and terrifying prospect for anyone who’s been in uniform,” Rieckhoff explained. “You can send me to Iraq but to send me across from American protesters and situations like we’ve seen across America is wrought with a tremendous burden you’re going to put on men and women in uniform.”
That led Jennings to respond that the military would not be used against U.S. citizens, only illegal immigrants. “Which I think most people would agree is a national emergency, is a national security emergency.”
Jennings also claimed that National Guard troops had been deployed before on American soil, which led Rieckhoff to correct him: “To wildfires.”
“To the border,” Jennings insisted.
“To wildfires,” Rieckhoff said once again.
“No, to the border,” Jennings again noted.
Smiling, Rieckhoff replied, “In small numbers.”
Later in the discussion, Jennings told Rieckhoff to stop talking.
“You got to make your speech. Let me —”
Rieckhoff would have none of it.
“Is it a debate with you or am I answering questions with the host? Because every time I come on you want to sidetrack to take me into your talking points.”
“By all means have at it, my friend. You’re the expert,” Jennings sneered.
Rieckhoff finally asked Jennings, “Have you served in uniform?”
“I have served as a United States citizen,” Jennings replied.
“Have you been to the border?” Jennings asked Riekhoff, to which he replied he had not.
“Oh! So you’re not a genius. Go on. By all means. Have at it.”
Here’s the video:
