NBC News is now claiming that a photo they’ve obtained exclusively proves that Trump’s steel slat border wall can be cut through with a common household saw.
Here’s the photo…
And here’s their report about it…
A photo exclusively obtained by NBC News shows the results of the test after military and Border Patrol personnel were instructed to attempt to destroy the barriers with common tools.
The Trump administration directed the construction of eight steel and concrete prototype walls that were built in Otay Mesa, California, just across the border from Tijuana, Mexico. Trump inspected the prototypes in March 2018. He has now settled on a steel slat, or steel bollard, design for the proposed border barrier additions. Steel bollard fencing has been used under previous administrations.
However, testing by DHS in late 2017 showed all eight prototypes, including the steel slats, were vulnerable to breaching, according to an internal February 2018 U.S. Customs and Border Protection report.
Photos of the breaches were not included in a redacted version of the CBP report, which was first obtained in a Freedom of Information Act Request by San Diego public broadcaster KPBS.
The photo of testing results obtained by NBC News was taken at the testing location along the California-Mexico border, known as “Pogo Row.”
Responding to the picture from the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday morning, Trump claimed “that’s a wall designed by previous administrations.”
While it is true that previous administrations used this design, the prototype was built during his administration.
“It’s very, very hard — the wall that we are doing is very, very hard to penetrate,” Trump said.
NBC News toured the eight wall prototypes twice before President Trump’s March 2018 inspection. According to San Diego Sector Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott, the versions seen by NBC News and the president, however, were larger than the actual prototypes tested at “Pogo Row.”
But I’ve seen some pushback on social media, with some even suggesting this wasn’t the work of a ‘common household saw’:
Are you people serious?
— Jim Hanson (@Uncle_Jimbo) January 10, 2019
These tests were conducted by the military & in similar situations we breached wood, steel & concrete barriers
But I kinda doubt migrants will be carrying chop saws or c4, or that Border Patrol will just sit by while they do this
Get real https://t.co/mWH98jZgjv
https://twitter.com/TheZackFalcon/status/1083390270497013765
It wasn't cut with a saw. They say in this article, "common tools." Looking at this picture it's obvious what "common tool" was used. A freaking torch. Misleading as shit. https://t.co/pgoNBnmfhv
— Franics Calloway (@ob_patt) January 10, 2019
Lol a household saw that leaves the melted metal look after it cuts 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀. Haaaaa come on stupid people!!!! https://t.co/CNXFfefVTT
— J scheck (@JakeScheckel) January 10, 2019
The actual DHS report does not support the commentary surrounding the photo. They had SOCOM/MARSOC special ops breaching experts and Border Patrol tactical teams using plasma cutters.https://t.co/6Gt84UhQAohttps://t.co/lm1CmcoihE
— blahblahblah (@blahblahblah9tn) January 10, 2019
I did look at the report linked in the last tweet. They did use plasma cutters, but also used several other redacted means of trying to breach the wall including a quick saw. And yes it was done by professionals as indicated, which is also kind of a big deal:
The test event had participants from US Border Patrol (USBP), Office of Facilities and Asset Management (OFAM)), Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), CBP Operations Support, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) 7th Special Forces Group, and SOCOM Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC).
But I think the bigger point is made by several tweets above and is summed up nicely in this one:
How about this Jacob, I'll give you an hour to cut through with a hacksaw, and then when you're an 1/8" in.. I walk by and billyclub you in the face, deal? idiot...https://t.co/86UjI7v9aQ
— Bright Boy (@BrightBoy70) January 10, 2019
LOL! There’s little doubt in my mind that someone trying to use a saw to breach the border wall would take a lot of time and make a lot of noise, especially if they were trying to do it with a power saw. Steel vibrates and I’m sure it would be heard at quite a distance in time for someone to show up with a billy club.
So it seems to me that this NBC News report is really pointless. But the left and media will eat it up as if it’s proof that the border wall won’t do any good.