#MTGov Daily Rundown: Bullock Now Trying to "Play Both Sides" on the Syrian Refugee Issue

After being called out by Greg Gianforte for not opposing the resettlement of unvetted Syrian refugees in Montana, Governor Bullock is now trying to walk both sides of the fence. On one hand, he criticizes those opposed to refugee resettlement as fear mongers and makes the excuse that he is powerless to stop refugee resettlement, but then echoes the same concerns as Gianforte.

"[Bullock Spokesman Jason] Pitt said Gianforte is misleading voters with 'fear'” -Great Falls Tribune, 8/22/2016

"Bullock has noted that governors have little authority to influence the resettlement process, which is overseen by the federal government." AP, 8/22/2016

Then the Bullock camp expresses the VERY SAME concerns as opponents about unvetted Syrian refugees.

"'As governor and as a father, the safety and security of Montana families, especially our kids, is always priority No. 1 for Steve Bullock,' said Jason Pitt. 'It remains ever important to maintain a thorough vetting process to ensure Montana’s safety and security while honoring our responsibility to keep all families and kids safe.'” -Great Falls Tribune, 8/22/2016

While other governors are standing up to the Obama Administration and saying no to unvetted Syrian refugees, Bullock has indicated he will take no action.   

“We did ask him (Governor Bullock) about this when he was visiting here on Wednesday. He declined to comment.” -KBZK, 6/17/2016

Last fall, in the wake of the terrorist attack by Radical Islamists in Paris, France, Bullock attempted to side-step the issue, but did say that Montana would not be closed to Syrian refugees.

“Montana does not plan to close its borders to refugees from Syria following last week’s attacks in Paris, Gov. Steve Bullock said Monday.” -Great Falls Tribune, 11/16/2016

At the Montana Broadcasters Association Debate in June, Bullock attempted to give two different answers on the Syrian refugee question, first saying he doesn’t have the power to stop refugee resettlement, but then stating he would do “everything” he could to stop unvetted refugees.  

Stated first: “First of all, fear shouldn’t define our values, and second of which, the Constitution doesn’t place the ability to determine and define exactly who all comes into our state borders.” 

But then he states: “I will, as governor, do everything I can to make sure unvetted refugees do not come to Montana.” 

Multiple intelligence officials have admitted that the Syrian refugees cannot be properly vetted and have expressed concerns over ISIS using refugee flows to infiltrate countries, including the United States.

FBI Director James Comey admitted last year that we do not have the ability to vet all Syrian refugees. -CNS News, 10/21/2015

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper worried that ISIS fighters could infiltrate refugee groups. -Washington Post, 11/17/2015

In June, CIA Director John Brennan admitted his concern that ISIS could use refugee flows to get ISIS fighters into the country. -CBS News, 6/16/2016

Currently, the governors of 31 states have stated that their states will not accept unvetted Syrian refugees. -CNN, 10/15/2016