President Trump recognized a “warrior” Border Patrol agent who was shot at by suspected Mexican cartel operatives, revealing that he heroically shielded his partner during the attack, during his joint address to Congress Tuesday night.
The cartel members opened fire on border agent Roberto Ortiz and his partner in January – as they responded responded to a group of migrants who were trying to enter the US illegally, authorities said.
Trump said “warrior” Ortiz and his partner were patrolling an area of the Rio Grande river “known as cartel island,” remarking that the area “doesn’t sound too nice to me,” when the “heavily armed gunmen” opened fire on them.
That’s when Ortiz noticed that “his partner was totally exposed in great danger” and he jumped “into action” to return fire, “just barely” saving the life of his fellow agent, Trump recounted.
“I have some of the prints of that event and it was not good. Agent Ortiz, we salute you for your great courage for your line of fire that you took. And for the bravery that you showed, we honor you and we will always honor you. Thank you, Roberto, very much,” Trump said.
“And I actually got to know him on my many calls to the border. He’s a great gentleman,” he added.
Previously-released footage of the dramatic attack showed at least four armed men standing on the island as they tried to find cover in the brush while a drone followed them. Some of the gunmen were also seen aiming their guns at the drone.
No injuries were reported and the migrants who were trying to traverse the river never made it across, sources said.
During his speech Tuesday, Trump touted his crackdown on illegal immigration at the southern border, which has resulted in the lowest border crossings in recorded history.
“The media and our friends in the Democrat Party kept saying we needed new legislation to secure the border, but it turned out that all we really needed was a new president,” said Trump.
Trump’s effort has resulted in the deployment of thousands of troops to the border, the ending of the problematic “catch and release” policy that allowed millions of migrants to go free in the US and commenced a mass deportation effort across the country.
As a result, border patrol agents only encountered roughly 8,000 migrants crossing illegally in February, marking the lowest month in at least 25 years, according to leaked data first obtained by The Post.