The local branch of a union of border patrol agents slated to host Donald Trump's visit to the U.S.-Mexico border on Thursday has pulled out of the event. In a statement, National Border Patrol Council Local 2455 said: "After careful consideration of all the factors involved in this event and communicating with members of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) at the National level, it has been decided by Local 2455 to pull out of all events involving Donald Trump."
Trump's campaign says it will proceed with his visit in Laredo, Texas, as planned.
Local 2455 said that the goal of hosting Trump's visit was " to provide a "Boots on the Ground" perspective to not only Mr. Trump, but to the media that would be in attendance at this event." The union also emphasized that it does not endorse candidates for political office.
Trump has been under heavy criticism for his rhetoric about Mexican immigrants, whom he characterized as "rapists" and "criminals" last month when he announced his presidential run.
In a statement, Trump's campaign said that the local brnach was "were totally silenced directly from superiors in Washington who do not want people to know how bad it is on the border --- every bit as bad as Mr. Trump has been saying."
"It is unfortunate the local union of Border Patrol Agents received pressure at a national level not to participate and ultimately pulled out of today's event. They are being silenced, and are very unhappy about it, as told directly to Mr. Trump," the campaign said.
