Trump claims terrorists at southern border during Fox News town hall

During a recent Fox News town hall, former President Donald Trump made controversial claims regarding terrorism and immigration, asserting that more terrorists have entered the United States in the last three years than in the previous 50. This statement was met with skepticism, particularly given that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by individuals who did not cross the southern border. Critics pointed out the lack of terrorist attacks in the U.S. attributed to individuals crossing the southern border in recent years. In fact, the most notable terrorist incidents during Trump's presidency, such as the 2019 Pensacola attack, involved individuals who entered the U.S. legally. Data indicates that far-right domestic terrorism has been a more significant threat, with numerous attacks occurring in various states. Trump's narrative appears to conflate immigration concerns with terrorism fears, a tactic reminiscent of his 2016 campaign. While there have been some arrests of individuals with potential ties to terrorism crossing the southern border, there is no evidence suggesting they were planning attacks. The FBI has acknowledged an increase in known or suspected terrorists attempting to cross the border, but this does not equate to a surge in terrorist activity. Moreover, statistics reveal that more individuals on the terrorism watch list attempted to cross the Canadian border than the southern border. Trump's claims, therefore, lack substantial evidence and reflect a broader strategy to invoke fear around immigration as part of his campaign rhetoric.