The White House’s response to news of a Texas National Guard soldier’s death drew criticism from Texas Representative Pat Fallon.
The body of Bishop Evans was found Monday, as reported in The Dallas Express. The soldier vanished after attempting to rescue two persons who appeared to be drowning while crossing the Rio Grande.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, speaking on behalf of the Biden administration on Monday, commented, “of course, our hearts go out to his family and to his loved ones.” She further added, “We are mourning the loss of Evans’ life, and we are grateful for the work done by all National Guardsmen.”
When asked whether the White House felt responsible for the soldier’s death, Psaki was quick to point out that Evans was not an employee of the federal government.
“I would note that the National Guard work for the states, so he is an employee of the Texas National Guard, and his efforts and his operation were directed by there, not by the federal government,” Psaki said.
U.S. Representative Pat Fallon from Texas took exception to Psaki’s statement.
“Why can’t you just call Bishop Evans a hero, an American hero that he is?” Fallon asked. “Why sit there and split hairs as to he was working for the national Texas National Guard. You know what, Jen Psaki, if the Biden administration was doing their jobs, Evans wouldn’t have been there in the first place. Those migrants wouldn’t have been drowning in the first place.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott had shared similar sentiments the day before, criticizing President Joe Biden’s border policies on Fox News Radio’s Guy Benson Show.
“[It’s a] travesty that we as a state have to deploy the National Guard to the border,” he told Benson, adding, “We have to do so because of the Biden administration’s mishandling of border security.”
Governor Abbott said Evans died serving his country.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the death of SPC Bishop E. Evans, who was reported missing in Eagle Pass on Friday,” said Abbott. “Our National Guard soldiers risk their lives every day to serve and protect others and we are eternally grateful for the way SPC Evans heroically served his state and country.”
Abbott thanked the members of the Texas National Guard, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Service, Border Patrol, and local law enforcement for working to find Evan’s body.