PolitiFact | Fact-checking Sarah Huckabee Sanders' Republican response to Joe Biden's 2023 State of the Union
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
In her response to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders called for a new generation of Republican leadership and criticized Biden's record on the economy and the border.
The "dividing line in America is no longer between right or left," said Sanders, who previously served as spokesperson for former President Donald Trump. "The choice is between normal or crazy."
Sanders, a Republican who was sworn in as governor in January and whose father previously served as Arkansas' governor, highlighted executive orders she has signed about culture issues that have become hot topics, including prohibiting critical race theory in schools.
Critical race theory is a collection of ideas, not a single doctrine, that explains why racial inequality and disparities persist long after civil rights laws and court rulings barred discrimination. Its opponents use it as a blanket term for any discussion of white privilege, and they have encouraged local school districts to forbid the teaching of anything that addresses systemic racism. Generally, the officials who say they want to ban critical race theory can't point to examples where it is being taught in K-12 schools.
Sanders also said she signed an executive order to "eliminate the use of the derogatory term Latinx in our government."
Though not widely used, Latinx is a gender-neutral term used by some journalists, businesses, local governments and universities. More broadly used terms include Latino, Latinas and Latinos. Latinas refers to females, and Latinos can refer to males or a group of both males and females.
Pew Research Center in 2020 found that the majority of Latino adults have not heard of the term Latinx and only 3% use it. Otherpollsters in 2021 also found similarly small numbers of people who preferred the term Latinx.
A national poll by Bendixen & Amandi International found 40% of Hispanic voters said they were bothered or offended by the Latinx term, while 57% said it didn't bother them.
Sanders made a veiled reference to the surveillance balloon from China that recently floated across the U.S. She said that Biden's "refusal to stand up to China" is dangerous and that he was "unwilling to defend our border, defend our skies and defend our people." U.S. fighter jets shot down the balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4.
We fact-checked a few of Sanders' statements about the economy and the border.
"President Biden inherited the fastest economic recovery on record."
This is accurate, and it owes to the unusual nature of the recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The two-month pandemic recession ranks as the shortest in U.S. history, at least since recessions were first tracked in the 1850s. The pandemic recession was also atypical because it was caused by a public health crisis rather than a financial or economic crisis.
So the economic swings, both down and up, were unprecedented in their size and speed.
The unemployment rate soared from 4.4% in March to 14.7% in April 2020, easily a modern record, because large portions of the economy shut down. But as Americans adapted to the new normal, the unemployment rate began to fall, and quickly by historical standards.
During the remainder of Trump's tenure, the unemployment rate fell by 8.4 percentage points. By comparison, no prior recession ever saw a decline of 8.4 percentage points, over any period of time.
The unemployment rate continued to fall during Biden's presidency, by roughly four additional percentage points in the first nine months of his tenure, to 4.5%. It's now more than a point lower than that.
Gross domestic product followed much the same pattern.
In the first quarter of 2020, which was partially affected by the pandemic, GDP fell by 4.6%. In the second quarter, GDP fell by an unprecedented 29.9%. But in the third quarter, GDP shot up by 35.3%, essentially erasing the decline. The subsequent quarters, one under Trump and four under Biden, ranged between 2.7% and 7%, all of which were high by recent historical standards.
It's worth noting that the first few rounds of pandemic relief funding, including expanded unemployment insurance and the Paycheck Protection Program that enabled businesses to keep paying workers, were signed by Trump but passed by overwhelmingly bipartisan majorities in Congress.
"100,000 Americans a year are now killed from drug overdoses, largely from fentanyl pouring across our southern border."
This needs additional context on how fentanyl is getting into the U.S.
Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found more than 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses from July 2021 to August 2022, most from fentanyl overdoses.
Mexico is the United States' primary source of illegally sourced fentanyl, per a report from the Rand Corp., a global policy think tank. It's worth noting that the vast quantity of the drug is smuggled through official ports of entry in large trucks or cars, according to the Congressional Research Service. And most fentanyl is smuggled in by U.S. citizens, the libertarian Cato Institute said.
"The Biden administration refuses to secure the border."
This ignores enforcement by border authorities, including surveillance technology.
Border security funding under Biden is comparable to funding under Trump's administration. Border Patrol staffing has remained fairly consistent despite long-term hiring and retention challenges. And immigration border laws and policies continue to be enforced under Biden's presidency.
Despite halting the building of additional miles of barriers, Biden's administration has used previously appropriated funds to repair barriers and close gaps that have become popular areas for immigrants to cross into the U.S.
Biden inherited "the most secure border in history."
There is no simple metric to determine if Biden inherited the "most secure" border. We've rated a similar Trump claim Mostly False.
Sanders did not explain what she meant by a secure border. Trump, for example, has cited the addition of barriers at the border and apprehension figures as metrics of a secure border.
But experts have said that miles of the border fence don't tell us much about the status of border security, because many migrants voluntarily turn themselves in to border officials.
Immigrant apprehensions at the southern border fluctuated during Trump's administration and were rising when Biden took office.
One of the largest drops in immigration numbers under Trump happened in March and April 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Immigration drastically dropped worldwide during this time, as governments enacted policies limiting people's movement.
Louis Jacobson, Amy Sherman and Maria Ramirez Uribe contributed reporting.
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Hey Sarah, "Thou shalt not bear false witness!"
Everything she said is true. Provide evidence of it being otherwise.
Nothing to see here other than projection, deflection, and denial.
barron's 4H project jumped the fence again...
Pigs will typically root under a fence and get out that way. If the fence is electrified they will figure out how to short it out and knock the fence down.
Ask me how I know all this
Which statement was false?
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
The hour's getting late, hey
I think it's funny a propaganda "fact checker" like Pollitifact is the source. I guess credible sources weren't available
You think we should stick with The Federalist fact checkers....HUH?
Where did I mention the federalist. Feel free to link where I did.
Feel free to show me where I claimed you did.
BTW, as I seem to have to keep explaining to certain posters here, in the English language a question mark indicates a query not a claim or statement.
That's easy. 2.1.1. I guess keeping up with your own comments is outside of your scope of abilities.
Mere distraction for being called out on your false claims. Nice try.
Whataboutism ..... fact checked.
Proper English is a game to you? You feel you can translate what anyone says to mean anything you want?
And once again, I was hoping for an answer, therefore your claim of a "rhetorical question" is nonsense. Just because Jeremy REFUSES to answer it, does not make it rhetorical.
Let me clarify for you. A ? means a query, a . or ! means statement of claim.
Am I supposed to give a shit about your distraction? I don't. I'm still waiting on your link to where I mentioned the Federalist.
Since you keep claiming you actually want a response yet claim to often have trouble getting one maybe you could learn from that and change your approach. Instead of "You think we should stick with The Federalist fact checkers....HUH?" maybe you could ask "Who would be an acceptable fact checker for you?". Of course you would have to actually want an answer to do that instead of continuing to ask a question in such a way you don't get an answer. Or just continue on with your transparent bullshit.
No, but if you are going to be posting on a site that uses the English language, it behooves you to have a basic understanding of the language to prevent misunderstanding from erroneous usage.
Where does ".......HUH" fit in?
I suggest you find a friend that has an understanding of the English language to answer your question. I have not the time, the inclination, or the patience to teach you English basics.
Is this an example of a solution in search of a problem?
No one can define what a 'secure border' actually means.
It is like some mythical term that is only used to be divisive.
Just like it's impossible for some to define a woman. We've fully moved onto the words have no meaning stage of Democrats descent.
Funny, all the hatred seems to be coming from one side of the aisle.
funny that you would use that metaphor when we're talking about sarah huckabee sanders...
Yeah, pointing out public statements made by progressives is hatred.
Obsessively posting about killing Trump supporters or rooting for the kids of Republican politicians to die for supporting the wrong things is love.
You should look up what the word metaphor means.
Do big women intimidate you?
Keep on. It is comical.
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If you really believe that, you aren’t nearly as intelligent as I thought you were.
no, you don't intimidate me.
Good, as this old man has never tried to.
You kinda made my point with that comment.
You going to answer the question or just toss more thinly veiled insults?
yeah, the "just like" part of your comment really threw me...
Kind of like "fair share" when it comes to taxes that no one can define? That kind of mythical term used to be divisive?
Nope, kinda like giving corporations tax breaks when they don't need it then complaining about not having enough revenue.
Like having the very wealthy using loopholes and tax breaks and tricks of the trade to get a refund...
So like the ol' Jen Psaki, we circle back to the wealthy and corporations not paying their fair share.
“…we circle back to the wealthy and corporations not paying their fair share.”
Is the assertion deniable?
And I guess you think they do. There is no way a corporation would try to get out of paying something...
Define "fair share".
No different than any other person/entity in the country. Do you take all the deductions you legally can to avoid paying more? Of course you do.
They pay all they are legally liable for according to tax laws. Want it different? Change the laws. But then you'll scream your butt off just like people did when the SALT ceiling was enacted.
Now you sound like trump. Stop the loopholes and deductions.
as examples?
I would be embarrassed if I had to rely on someone to pay my way, I guess it’s just natural for some to leech off the successful.
The way red states leech off blue states?
Some people don’t understand the difference between federal spending and welfare. We call them democrats.
No but that outdid yourself for lameness!
Blue state money doesn’t go to red states.
So...what's your problem with corporations and individuals taking advantage of existing tax laws and regulations.
Why should anyone pay more taxes than required?
They already pay most of the taxes right now anyway.
Why?
Define loophole.
When you've lost the argument, why do you persist in spouting nonsense?
Who said I lost anything, you?
From the homeland security website.
Protecting our borders from the illegal movement of weapons, drugs, contraband, and people, while promoting lawful entry and exit, is essential to homeland security, economic prosperity, and national sovereignty.
That still doesn't define what republicans consider secure.
What's the Democrats' definition for 'border'?
So still no answer...
Is that supposed to be an indictment? That would be a first.
Slowing the rate of the invasion to pre-Biden levels, instead of making no attempt to stop it,
So you want levels last seen during a pandemic...
You mean like "assault rifle". People can't define it but want them banned.
for most trumpsters it means a big wall with few gates, where only white people are allowed to freely pass in either direction.
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It is a mystery why a party would maintain laser focus on priorities that have zero percent chance of causing an independent to lean toward their side. Meanwhile, democrats focus on things that mean something to the actual lives of independents. Keep it up though.
Yep like trading away their kids and grandkids future for a few baubles and trinkets today.
Uhhh … ok. Perhaps you could flesh out that nail clipping?
No need to.
1.) You won’t agree with it and
B.) You won’t have to worry about it, you’ll be dead.
3.) Your heirs won’t mind I’m sure .....
No need to.
You have perfectly summarized the GOP philosophy on everything. Good luck guys!
Same to you ...... you “guys” are really, really, really gonna need it.
Lol. You were one of the most obnoxiously overconfident members here saying the same thing last November, assuring us all of a massive red wave. How’d that work out for you guys?
Aww ..... sounds like your trigger is going off again. Meanwhile you still lost the house and are busy trying to make it feel better.
Rub some dirt on it and get back in there ......
You’re like the guy who brags about winning two dollars on his mega millions lottery ticket.
Lol .... not even close.
The triggering of our friends on the left seems to stunt their ability to apply logic and reasoning but does appear to spawn sophomoric, petty thinking.
Fascinating!
I still say she looks like a Sith-Mistress; Darth Prune Face. Or Granny Goodness