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Biden responds to criticism for using the term ‘illegal’ to describe illegal immigrant murder suspect
President Biden was confronted by a reporter about his use of the term ‘illegal’ at the State of the Union to describe the illegal immigrant accused of murdering Laken Riley.
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President Biden offered his condolences to the families and loved ones of three people killed in a helicopter crash Friday near the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas.
Two National Guard soldiers and a Border Patrol agent were killed in the crash, the military said. A fourth soldier was hospitalized and remains in critical condition.
“These brave Americans dedicated their lives to protecting our nation. They signed up knowing the risks and believing in the mission of serving their fellow Americans by keeping our nation safe. Our gratitude is profound, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Biden said in a statement.
“We extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones, as well as their colleagues in the National Guard and U.S. Border Patrol. We pray for the injured Guardsman’s swift recovery.
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A National Guard helicopter after crashing in La Grulla, Texas, Friday. (Fox News)
“As we investigate the circumstances of this crash, we continue to stand with our service members, border agents, and their families, whose contributions to our nation are vital to our security.”
The UH-72 Lakota helicopter was conducting routine operations near Rio Grande City, Texas, when it went down, according to Joint Task Force North. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
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Authorities in La Grulla, Texas, at the site of a National Guard helicopter crash. (Fox News)
Starr County Judge Eloy Vera, the county’s top official, said those on board included one woman and three men.
Law enforcement sources told Fox News the three National Guard soldiers were working on federal orders on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security.
NATIONAL GUARD HELICOPTER CRASHES NEAR SOUTHERN BORDER IN TEXAS, MULTIPLE FATALITIES REPORTED
President Biden, accompanied by first lady Jill Biden, attends a campaign event at Strath Haven Middle School in Wallingford, Pa. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The names of those killed have not been released.
National Guard Bureau chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson gave his condolences to the family and friends of those killed in a post on X. He also wished the injured soldier a speedy recovery.
“We mourn these heartbreaking deaths,” Hokanson wrote. “They are a tragic loss beyond words. All of these people represent selfless service & the best of America.”
The site of the crash is in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, a hotbed of illegal immigration. Federal and state border authorities routinely patrol the area to stop illegal crossings.
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In January, a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter patrolling the state’s border with Mexico lost power and crashed, officials said at the time. The co-pilot suffered a minor hand injury, and the helicopter was significantly damaged.
That helicopter was flying as part of Operation Lone Star, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s nearly $10 billion border mission that has tested the federal government’s authority over immigration.
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Chris Pandolfo is a writer for Fox News Digital. Send tips to [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.