Tucker Carlson Compares US to Fall of Roman Empire

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has suggested a bipartisan proposal allowing some illegal migrants to join the U.S. military would lead to conditions that mirror the fall of the Roman Empire.

Carlson said in a one-minute video shared to YouTube on Monday that Rome fell because its military “became dominated by non-citizens.” The conservative pundit then suggested that history could repeat itself with a House proposal that would recruit qualified migrants who crossed the border illegally into the U.S. military.

Democratic Congressman Pat Ryan of New York and Republican Congressman John James of Michigan recently proposed a bill known as the Courage to Serve Act, which would allow certain unlawful migrants who are “qualified and vetted” to apply for permanent residence and be put on a path to citizenship if they join the military.

“Why did Rome fall?” Carlson says during the video. “Everyone agrees one of the reasons is pretty obvious: The Roman military, its legions, became dominated by non-citizens, who in the end—because they weren’t loyal to Rome, turned against Rome’s citizens. Hmm.”

“So knowing that as we do, consider this series of facts,” he continues. “This country has been flooded with tens of millions of illegal aliens. At least 7.2 million, that’s the official number that have entered since Joe Biden became president.”

While border authorities have encountered 7.2 million migrants who illegally crossed the border during the Biden administration, over half were later expelled. Regardless, official figures do not support Carlson’s claim of “tens of millions” under Biden.

Carlson’s video goes on to suggest that the Courage to Serve Act would set the stage for the fall of the U.S. by flooding the military with foreign soldiers who might be disloyal. A clip of Ryan speaking about the bill is included during the video, with no mention of the legislation’s Republican co-sponsor.

“What do we do with these people? Do we deport them? No … not according to the U.S. Congress. Here’s the idea,” Carlson says before a news clip of Ryan touting the bill plays.

Newsweek reached out for comment to the offices of Ryan and James via email on Tuesday evening.

While many historians do argue that a reliance on foreign soldiers was a reason for Rome’s downfall, most say that it was only one of several likely factors. Historians also cite causes that include military invasions, civil unrest, the spread of Christianity and a widening of the gap between rich and poor.

Both Ryan and James, veterans who were classmates at the West Point U.S. Military Academy in New York’s Hudson Valley and served together in Iraq, touted the Courage to Serve Act as a practical way to deal with illegal immigration and military recruiting difficulties while introducing the legislation last month.

“If folks have the courage to raise their right hand, swear an oath to protect and defend this nation, and put their lives on the line, then they sure as hell deserve the opportunity to become an American citizen,” Ryan said in a release, while adding that the bill would “address critical military recruiting shortfalls” and “help immigrants already in this country build a better life for their families.”

“Immigration is both an economic and moral imperative, and giving specific America-loving immigrants who want to serve the country the chance to become citizens is a no-brainer,” said James. “Some of the heroes Pat and I served with in Iraq were immigrants, and I can’t think of a more deserving person to become an American citizen than immigrants who are willing to serve in our military.”