As a father, watching the memorial video for Laken Riley struck me right to my core. When you have daughters, as I do, you feel this instinctual drive to protect them with every fiber of your being. I made sure they learned self-defense; they know kung fu now. Yet even with all the precautions in the world, there are threats that linger beyond our control—threats exacerbated by poor leadership and misguided policies.
Bill Clinton once pointed out the importance of proper vetting, stating that if immigrants were vetted thoroughly, tragedies like Laken’s murder might not happen. “If they are properly vetted, that doesn’t happen,” he said, and he’s right. But here we stand today with our borders more porous than ever, under a vice president who was appointed as the so-called border czar—a title Kamala Harris held without accountability.
I can’t help but echo President Trump’s outrage. He has spoken forcefully against the lax immigration policies that led to such horrific events: “I’m outraged at Kamala Harris free to illegal alien thugs who assaulted, kidnaped, and murdered a 12-year-old girl named Jocelyn.” These are not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern of negligence.
When I hear about young lives like Laken Riley’s being stolen by individuals who should never have been allowed into our country in the first place, I’m infuriated. Laken was a bright young woman with dreams of becoming a nurse—a life cut short because of systemic failures at our border. President Trump put it bluntly: “In my opinion, Kamala murdered them just like she did. Just like she had a gun in her hand.”
These aren’t just tragic statistics; these are real families torn apart by policies lacking any shred of responsibility or foresight. If I were in leadership and faced such catastrophic outcomes from my decisions—or indecisions—I would publicly acknowledge the failure and commit to change. Because one American death is one too many.
Yet instead of acknowledging failure, those responsible dismiss these deaths as collateral damage or simply ignore them altogether. It’s an outrage that stems from complacency and a reluctance to admit mistakes when Americans are paying the ultimate price—our children are paying the ultimate price.
The harm inflicted upon our children is not limited to heinous crimes like those committed against Laken Riley or Rachel Morin. It extends to broader issues such as exploitation and neglect—issues made all too easy by open borders and lackluster enforcement.
We cannot afford to allow leaders who prioritize political gain over American lives to remain unchallenged. For those of us who love this country deeply—American-loving Patriots—it is time we demand accountability from those entrusted with our nation’s security.
Each life lost is a vivid reminder of why we must fight for policies rooted in commonsense conservatism: secure borders, strict vetting processes, and unwavering support for law enforcement officers tasked with keeping our communities safe.
This is not just about honoring Laken Riley’s memory or any other victim’s name etched into this tragic narrative—it’s about ensuring future generations inherit a country as strong and secure as the one promised by our founders. Let us remain vigilant; let us remain engaged; let us remain resolute until meaningful change takes hold across America.
