Donald Trump’s response to the conviction of Jose Ibarra, the illegal immigrant who brutally murdered University of Georgia student Laken Riley, is a powerful reminder of why border security is not just a policy issue—it’s a matter of life and death.
In a statement on Truth Social and X, Trump expressed his condolences to Riley’s family and applauded the guilty verdict while making it clear that tragedies like this one are entirely preventable. “JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY!” Trump wrote. He called Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan with ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, a “criminal and thug” who should never have been in the United States in the first place.
“JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes. Although the pain and heartbreak will last forever, hopefully this can help bring some peace and closure to her wonderful family who fought for Justice, and to ensure that other families don’t have to go through what they have,” Trump wrote. “We love you, Laken, and our hearts will always be with you. It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!”
JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes. Although the pain and heartbreak will last forever, hopefully this can help bring some peace and closure to her wonderful family who fought for…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 20, 2024
The details of Riley’s murder are harrowing. While running on her campus in Athens, Georgia, she was attacked, kidnapped, and viciously killed by Ibarra, who used a rock to inflict fatal blows. The prosecution described the violence as gratuitous and calculated to “silence her forever.” This wasn’t just a crime—it was a failure of the Biden administration’s open-border policies that allowed Ibarra to enter the country freely and, unbelievably, at taxpayer expense.
Laken Riley fought for her life for 18 minutes. 18 excruciating minutes.
Don’t you dare tell me I didn’t vote to protect women. pic.twitter.com/gby26DwceW
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) November 16, 2024
Trump made sure to highlight the role of Biden’s disastrous border policies in this tragedy. “Biden has implemented a formal policy that illegal aliens who intrude into the United States are granted immunity from deportation,” Trump said. Under this program, Ibarra was allowed into the country, setting the stage for the horrific crime. The contrast between Trump’s America First approach to the border and Biden’s anything-goes chaos couldn’t be clearer.
Senator Josh Hawley on Laken Riley’s murderer
“Mayorkas illegally paroled Laken Riley’s killer into the US. He had a criminal record. He then committed a crime against a child in New York. No prosecution”
“He commits a crime against a child. He’s not prosecuted. It’s expunged”… pic.twitter.com/qcdn1AgU0M
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) November 20, 2024
While Trump’s critics will no doubt call his remarks “politicizing” the issue, let’s be honest: this is exactly the kind of issue that deserves to be politicized. When American families are being torn apart because of reckless policies, it’s not just politics—it’s a moral imperative to act.
During a rally in Georgia earlier this year, Trump met with Riley’s family, calling them “beautiful” and vowing to keep Laken’s memory alive. He emphasized that tragedies like this underscore the urgency of securing the border, removing dangerous criminals, and protecting innocent Americans.
Why didn’t Laken Riley get a golden casket and wall to wall coverage?
Why didn’t Joe Biden attend her funeral?
Why didn’t AOC protest for this “housed” woman?
Why didn’t Floyd Mayweather pay for her funeral?
Why didn’t countless celebrities like Jamie Foxx, Channing… pic.twitter.com/BRJTnmf1tw
— 🇺🇸Jessica🇺🇸 (@Jessica_4_Trump) March 3, 2024
It’s not just about fences or budgets—it’s about making sure that no more families have to endure what Riley’s family is going through. The question is simple: How many more Lakens will it take before Democrats wake up?
