Rep. Frederica Wilson (D., Fla.) said the border patrol agents who joked about migrant deaths and posted sexist content in a secret Facebook group should be "prosecuted" during a press conference on Monday outside of a Homestead, Florida migrant detention center.
"Those people who are online making fun of members of Congress are a disgrace and there's no need for anyone to think that is unacceptable," Wilson said. "We're going to shut them down and work with whoever it is to shut them down and they should be prosecuted. You cannot intimidate members of Congress, threaten members of Congress. It is against the law, and it's a shame in this United States of America."
Democrat Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL) says that people who are 'making fun of members of Congress" online 'should be prosecuted" pic.twitter.com/f69KwOeJ0n
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) July 2, 2019
The full press conference, which is available on Wilson's Facebook page, clarifies who she was referring to in her comments. Around the 9:00 minute mark, someone asks for comment about the border patrol agents involved in the secret Facebook group.
A report from earlier this week detailed how members of the group, which included current and former border patrol agents, joked about migrant deaths "joked about the deaths of migrants, discussed throwing burritos at Latino members of Congress visiting a detention facility in Texas on Monday and posted a vulgar illustration depicting Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez engaged in oral sex with a detained migrant, according to screenshots of their postings."
Customs and Border Protection has launched an investigation into the group.
"These posts are completely inappropriate and contrary to the honor and integrity I see—and expect—from our agents day in and day out," Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost said, adding that employees in violation of CBP's conduct standards "will be held accountable."