Democrats continue to push their divisive rhetoric on race.
But Marco Rubio isn’t having any of it.
And Tim Kaine was left red-faced after Marco Rubio shut him down with this brutal response.
Rubio schools Kaine on refugee policy during heated exchange
Secretary of State Marco Rubio found himself in a tense exchange with Democrat Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday.
The confrontation centered around the Trump administration’s February 7 executive order granting refugee status to white South African farmers who have been targeted with violence.
Kaine, who served as Hillary Clinton’s running mate in 2016, attempted to paint the policy as racially motivated – a strategy that quickly backfired.
“Can you have a different standard based upon the color of somebody’s skin? Would that be acceptable?” Kaine asked, clearly trying to set a trap.
Rubio immediately recognized the game and fired back with a response that left Kaine struggling to recover.
“I’m not the one arguing that. Apparently, you are, because you don’t like the fact that they’re white,” Rubio shot back.
The exchange grew more heated as Kaine doubled down on his racial angle.
“The United States has a right to pick and choose who they allow into the United States,” Rubio stated firmly.
Kaine immediately jumped in, “Based on the color of somebody’s skin?”
Rubio wasn’t having it and called out Kaine’s obsession with race.
“You’re the one that’s talking about the color of their skin, not me,” Rubio responded. “These are people whose farms are being burned down and they were being killed because of the color of their skin.”
NEW: Senator Tim Kaine looks like he’s about to burst a blood vessel in his face after Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggests he’s being racist.
Rubio: “The United States has a right to pick and choose who they allow in.”
Kaine: “Even based on the color of somebody’s skin?”… pic.twitter.com/JT1sBWS2ng
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 20, 2025
Trump administration prioritizes American interests
The clash comes after President Donald Trump ordered a review of American refugee admissions on January 20, temporarily freezing many admissions while his administration reassesses the program.
The decision to grant refugee status to South African farmers comes amid growing concerns about their safety. White House senior advisor Elon Musk has highlighted anti-white rhetoric from South African politicians, including one known for leading people in a song called “Kill the Boer.”
How come the left media never covers this racism in South Africa “Shoot to kill, kill the boer, the farmer”? They had no problem with 20M illegals flooding into USA on gov $$$ but suddenly outraged about a small group of white South African refugees.pic.twitter.com/PCil0fixIn
— Lily Tang Williams (@Lily4Liberty) May 13, 2025
Rubio made it clear that America’s immigration policy should be driven by national interest, not political posturing.
“Our immigration policy should be based on the national interest of the United States. Period. End of story,” Rubio declared. “If there is a subset of people that are easier to vet, who we have a better understanding of who they are and what they’re going to do when they come here, they’re going to receive preference, no doubt about it.”
The Secretary of State acknowledged the difficult realities of global migration pressures while maintaining a realistic approach.
“There are a lot of sad stories around the world, millions and millions of people around the world. It’s heartbreaking. We cannot assume millions and millions of people around the world. No country can,” Rubio explained.
Democrats cling to race-based politics
Kaine’s performance in the hearing exemplifies how Democrats continue to view every policy decision through a racial lens, even when the policy in question aims to protect people who are being persecuted.
This confrontation highlights the stark contrast between the Trump administration’s approach to immigration – focused on American interests and protecting those genuinely facing persecution – and Democrats’ tendency to inject race into policy discussions.
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, understands the importance of America’s role as a refuge for those fleeing persecution. But he also recognizes that immigration policy must prioritize American interests and security.
As Rubio continues to navigate his role as Secretary of State, he’s showing that he won’t back down from defending common-sense policies against partisan attacks.
Tim Kaine wanted to score political points by painting the Trump administration as racist. Instead, he was left floundering after Rubio exposed the weakness of his argument.
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