Hartford, CT – After Ruby O’Neill and Manny Santos defended the Trump administration’s policy of separating children from their families at the border, Democratic State Party Chair Nick Balletto released the following statement:

“Let’s be very clear about the order of events over the last few days. After days of silence from Republican candidates as every single news outlet covered the Trump administration’s cruel policy of separating children from their parents at the border and their calculated effort to spread misinformation about that policy, two Republicans running to represent Connecticut in Congress have now taken a stand to defend the Trump administration and this specific policy.

“The need for Democratic leadership could not be more clear. As Democrats stand up against the administration and take action to end this policy, Republicans are standing by Donald Trump. The act of separating children from their parents at the border should supersede politics and party, but once again we have seen Republicans refuse to stand up for what’s right. One thing is certain: any candidate who is willing to defend this cruel immigration practice has no business representing Connecticut in Congress.”