After intense backlash across social media, the White House-Pentagon plan has been suspended. A spokesperson for the Pentagon announced that the Department of Defense would be ‘pausing’ its plan to vaccinate terrorists at Guantanamo Bay.
Biden Administration: Terrorists Before Americans
U.S. Southern Command has said it expects to have enough vaccines for the approximately 1,500 personnel assigned to Guantanamo Bay, but apparently that wasn’t good enough for the Biden administration. Despite the fact that a substantial number of American citizens have yet to receive vaccines, the federal government decided that vaccinating terrorists was more important.
When the plan to vaccinate terrorists was announced, angry Americans took to social media to complain that convicted terrorists were being put before citizens.
While Americans Wait, Biden Administration To Offer Vaccine To Suspected Terrorists https://t.co/dCKaMC4UCJ pic.twitter.com/CTpH1jHhJ9
— The Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) January 29, 2021
Texas Governor Greg Abbott shared his outrage on Twitter. “This is CRAZY! Pres. Biden is giving COVID vaccines to terrorists at Gitmo—while hard working Texans are waiting for more shots from the federal government. We need more shots! Stop using them on terrorists who killed Americans,” Abbott wrote.
This is CRAZY!
Pres. Biden is giving COVID vaccines to terrorists at Gitmo—while hard working Texans are waiting for more shots from the federal government.
We need more shots!
Stop using them on terrorists who killed Americans. https://t.co/JxypMqj55h
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 31, 2021
Social Media Backlash Success
The social media backlash over the decision apparently happened fast enough that none of the vaccines reached these terrorists before the plan was paused.
Newly elected Republican Representative Lauren Boebert tweeted about the success of the American people’s fight against this plan: “Biden’s bureaucrats have decided to back away from moving terrorists in Guantanamo Bay to the front of the line for vaccines. We spoke and forced them to listen. This administration’s instincts will always be the worst, but we sane Americans are the majority.”
Biden’s bureaucrats have decided to back away from moving terrorists in Guantanamo Bay to the front of the line for vaccines.
We spoke and forced them to listen.
This administration’s instincts will always be the worst, but we sane Americans are the majority.
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) February 2, 2021
“No Guantanamo detainees have been vaccinated. We’re pausing the plan to move forward, as we review force protection protocols. We remain committed to our obligations to keep our troops safe,” Kirby said.
No Guantanamo detainees have been vaccinated. We’re pausing the plan to move forward, as we review force protection protocols. We remain committed to our obligations to keep our troops safe.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) January 30, 2021
The Military Times reported that “there have been no reported cases of coronavirus among the detention center prisoners.”
So the question is, why did the Biden administration and the Pentagon feel that vaccinating terrorists should be a priority?
First Terrorists, Now Illegals
In a post on Twitter, Republican Representative Steve Scalise pointed out the Biden administration’s continued push to put Americans last.
“First the Biden Admin wanted to give the vaccine to terrorists at Gitmo. Now they want to give it to illegal immigrants while Americans are waiting in line. This shouldn’t be a debate: American seniors, essential workers, and vulnerable populations should get it first—not last,” Scalise tweeted, sharing a video of himself speaking about the issue on Fox News.
First the Biden Admin wanted to give the vaccine to terrorists at Gitmo.
Now they want to give it to illegal immigrants while Americans are waiting in line.
This shouldn't be a debate: American seniors, essential workers, and vulnerable populations should get it first—not last. pic.twitter.com/Azs8uo6EYw
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) February 2, 2021
