DHS spokesperson melts down on CNN's Blackwell with personal attacks

During an appearance on CNN early Saturday morning, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin resorted to personal attacks on host Victor Blackwell as he peppered her with questions about allowing white immigrants from South Africa to jump the line to enter the U.S.

The interview became combative when Blackwell confronted McLaughlin with the Donald Trump administration calling the persecution of the white South Africans as "genocide," which, in turn, made her lash out.

"Victor, can we take a pause and recognize that fact that you are defending race-based discrimination," she complained. "You're defending --."

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"I'm not defending race-based discrimination in any way," the CNN host interrupted before reminding her that President Trump has used the term "genocide," and then reminded her of countries that have actually been condemned for genocide.

"If you are going to allow me on your program, I'd like to speak," McLaughlin shot back. "It is, quite frankly disturbing to me that members of the media, including people who are on this very network, are trying to whitewash the facts and whitewash the fact that these people individuals have faced discrimination, racial violence, the seizure of their land based on nothing but their skin color alone."

"So you clearly are not going to acknowledge there is no genocide in South Africa," Blackwell told his guest as she shook her head and they continued to battle over the number of refugees seeking asylum and what countries they come fro.

She then accused, "That fact that you have not addressed the fact that we have helped these individuals who are facing persecution and you seem to want to whitewash the fact that these South Afrikaners are facing persecution. And I can't understand why and I think a lot of Americans can't understand why."

"So you are suggesting I am the one here who is focused on the color of skin?' Blackwell laughed before adding, "When the president has let in Afrikaners specifically. And I am asking how many of those who are actually facing genocide, who are from the Sudan and who are from Congo who are being let in under some expedited path."

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