Arnold-Jones also stated a genuine Laguna Pueblo tribe member would not support ‘open borders.’

This morning on Fox and Friends, GOP congressional candidate for New Mexico ' s 1st Congressional District, Janice Arnold-Jones, questioned her Democratic opponent Deb Haaland ’ s Native American heritage.

On Fox News Thursday morning, Arnold-Jones was questioned by host Ainsley Earhardt.

Earnhardt asked about Haaland potentially becoming the country ' s first female Native American in Congress.

Arnold-Jones replied " That ' s what they say, yes, " responded Arnold-Jones, to which the host promptly replied " That ' s what they say? What do you mean by that? "

Arnold-Jones said “ Well, I ’ m saying there ’ s no doubt that her lineage is Laguna, but she is a military brat just like I am...I think it evokes images that she was raised on a reservation — she belongs to a Pueblo. ”

Arnold-Jones also stated a genuine Laguna Pueblo tribe member would not support " open borders. "

In a statement emailed to Indian Country Today shortly after the interview, Haaland wrote the following response:

Statement from Deb Haaland on racist assertion that military service means someone isn ’ t ‘ really ’ Native American on Fox News:

" My opponent ' s assertion on Fox News today that my parents ' military service, or not being raised on a reservation, means I am not Native American is racist, an assault on military families, and wrong.

" For generations, Native Americans have been subjected to genocide, forced assimilation, and government-backed family separation. Even today, Native American Tribes suffer through attacks on tribal sovereignty and the ongoing unanswered epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

" Despite all of that, Native Americans are still here, we are proud, and we matter. I am proud to be a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna, and I am proud of my parents ’ service in both the Marines and the US Navy. ”

See the clip of Janice Arnold-Jones on Fox and Friends here:

Follow Indian Country Today ’ s associate editor and senior correspondent, Vincent Schilling (Akwesasne Mohawk) on Twitter -@VinceSchilling

Email -vschilling@indiancountrytoday.com

Are you using the new mobile platform? Get Indian Country Today on your phone.

Google Play (Android)



Apple