Texas Republican says Americans are ‘frustrated’ about border after deaths of National Guard members

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) said Americans are “frustrated” about the situation on the border after two National Guard members and a Border Patrol agent died in a helicopter crash flying over the southern border of Texas.

“This is part where I think a lot of Americans are frustrated. You know, just a few days ago, we had Americans that were killed along the border,” Gonzales told NewsNation’s political editor Chris Stirewalt on “The Hill Sunday” when asked if he had any additional information on the helicopter crash.

President Biden sent his condolences for the National Guard member and patrol agent killed in the helicopter crash Friday. The helicopter was flying over the Texas southern border at the time, and the crash’s cause is under investigation, per The Associated Press (AP).

“These brave Americans dedicated their lives to protecting our nation,” Biden said in a statement. “They signed up knowing the risks and believing in the mission of serving their fellow Americans by keeping our nation safe. Our gratitude is profound, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

The AP reported that the UH-72 Lakota helicopter was assigned to the federal government’s border security mission when it crashed near Rio Grande City in Texas.

Gonzales said he was thinking about the victims’ families regarding the helicopter crash.

“I always think about the families, oftentimes the service members, they knew what they’re getting into, and it’s a tough job whether you get in a plane or a truck or a boat. It’s just a tough job that they do. So they kind of know what they’re getting into and [that] the families come along for the ride,” he said.

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