President Donald Trump tripled down on his assessment of MS-13 gang members as "animals," reiterating that "they're not people" at the start of a forum on the issue Wednesday on Long Island.
Trump gathered members of his administration as well as Rep. Peter King, R-NY, and county officials to address the problem of MS-13 in Long Island and the country.
Trump last week first called MS-13 members "animals" and was forced to endure scolding from Democrats who twisted the context and slammed him for making the reference about all immigrants.
"I notice recently where Democrats, Nancy Pelosi as an example, are trying to defend MS-13 gang members. I called them 'animals' the other day. And I was met with rebuke. They said, 'they're people.' They're not people. These are animals. We have to be very, very tough," Trump said to applause from the gathering.
King, whose district hosted the forum, agreed with the president's assessment.
"You, more than anyone in the country, is highlighting the evil of MS-13," King said. "I congratulate you and thank you for leading this effort. They are horrible, vicious, rotten murderers. You are really leading the charge. Thank you for assembling all us here today and mobilizing the efforts of the federal government behind this."
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