Haggerty Opposes Resolution Condemning Tornillo Child Detention Camp

"Don't you ever talk to me like that again."

In a surprisingly angry outburst, County Commissioner Andrew Haggerty lashed out against County Commissioner David Stout regarding Haggerty's "no" vote on a resolution condemning the camp that incarcerates children separated from their parents as a result of the Trump Administrations new Zero Tolerance Policy. His outburst has drawn sharp criticism from the Chairwoman of the El Paso County Democratic Party, the Chairman of the Paso Del Norte Tejano Democrats, and his Democratic opponent in November, former City Representative Carl Robinson and other community leaders.

The exchange happened after the vote on the resolution during yesterday's Commissioner's Court meeting. Stout spoke after the vote thanking the judge and commenting that "it saddens me and is very unfortunate that we couldn't have a unanimous vote on this issue..."

Stout went on to say that he didn't think it was a partisan issue, which is not only absurd but shockingly naive for any elected official who has paid any attention to this issue at all to say, and spoke about how bad it was to separate children from their parents.

Stout never mentions Haggerty's name at all during his comments, just simply laments that it wasn't a unanimous vote and on the treatment of children.

Thats when Haggerty loses it. Here's video of Haggerty's response so you can see for yourself.



First of all Commissioner Haggerty, your vote actually is our business. You're an elected official and you're in a duly posted meeting in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, your vote is absolutely the public's business.

In fact, its the public's "freaking" business.

Now it is completely unclear why he had that reaction. Below is the video of what Stout said that Haggerty had such a disproportionate response to.



Understandably there has been a response to Commissioner Haggerty from local leaders. In a press release sent out today, El Paso Country Democratic Party Chairwoman Iliana Holguin had this to say:

“Our country is in the midst of a moral crisis created by a president who sees nothing wrong with tearing sobbing children from their parents only to detain them in tent cities such as the recently opened detention facility in our own backyard in Tornillo, Texas.  It is clear from his remarks that Commissioner Haggerty agrees with the sentiments of this president, who calls immigrants ‘animals’ and claims that immigrants are ‘infesting’ our country.  These comments are unacceptable and extremely offensive not only to residents of border communities such as ours, but to all of us who believe that the United States’ strength as a nation is a result of our diversity and the contributions that we all make to our country,” said Iliana Holguin, Chair of the El Paso County Democratic Party.  “Much like the president, Commissioner Haggerty seems to believe that immigrants deserve to be treated unjustly and inhumanely and it is very important for the voters of this County to know that before they cast their ballots on Election Day in November.”

Haggerty's opponent in November, Democrat and former City Representative Carl Robinson stated the following:

I find it inexcusable that an elected official cannot support a resolution condemning the separation of families..”

Chairman Holguin, of the Paso Del Norte Tejano Democrats characterized the statements and vote of Haggerty as "shameful" going on to say,

“his inability to support a resolution condemning the horrific and barbaric actions of separating families who have come to our city/country seeking asylum is truly  unbecoming of an elected official. What other Trump policies does Haggerty agree with?”

Former City Representative Lily Limón also released a statement saying:

I am in disbelief that an elected official would turn his back on a resolution condemning the horrific actions again families seeking asylum in our country. 

Regardless of party affiliation, Americans across the country have loudly proclaimed this immigration policy does not represent our values and must change. 

We will remember those who were silent and enabled this policy, turning their backs during a humanitarian crisis that easily could be eased with one phone call by the president.

Haggerty's tirade was a little confusing because at first he says his vote had nothing to do with his party affiliation and then he went on to tell Stout if the wanted to, he could open his doors to basically anyone he wanted to, which echoes of the "open borders" rhetoric frequently heard on Fox News.