Ahead of President Barack Obama’s address tonight, Politifact has issued a “False” rating for Obama’s claim that his “position hasn’t changed” on using executive action to address immigration issues.
Per the rating from Politifact:
“Obama has been asked about his ability to use his office to change immigration rules in the U.S. in many ways throughout the years. Sometimes, he has been asked broadly, but other times, he was asked about very specific measures, such as not splitting up families or freezing deportations for parents of DREAMers.
In answering those questions, Obama’s position has clearly changed. Whereas he used to say his ability to take action ended at deferring action on DREAMers, he now is saying there are at least some things he can do and intends to do. Even absent the specifics of his plan, it’s very clear his tune is much different now.”
Two days ago, the Washington Post’s resident fact-checker Glenn Kessler gave the president’s claim an Upside-Down Pinocchio, described by Kessler as “a statement that represents a clear but unacknowledged ‘flip-flop’ from a previously-held position.”