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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Chris McGreal

Republicans accused of cynical ploy in blaming fentanyl crisis on Biden

Ron DeSantis visits Eagle Pass, on Texas-Mexico border, on 26 June
Ron DeSantis visits Eagle Pass, on Texas-Mexico border, on 26 June, weeks after bringing together dozens of sheriffs to blame Biden’s easing of Trump’s migrant restrictions for fentanyl flooding in to US. Photograph: Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Reuters

Republican politicians have been accused of exploiting the tragedy of America’s fentanyl crisis by blaming Joe Biden for the rising death toll, and linking it to his immigration policies and populist anger over the US’s troubled southern border.

Critics say Republican leaders are guilty of a cynical political ploy by misrepresenting an increase in asylum seekers as a cause of the serious problem of cross-border drug smuggling driving a huge US public health crisis.

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