White House: Obama Was ‘Speaking Colloquially’ When He Said He Changed Immigration Law

Members of the Obama administration continue to be confronted by President Obama’s statement to a group of illegal immigrant protesters in Chicago that he had taken action to “change the law” on immigration.

“Did the president misspeak in a moment of passion to try to calm the crowd? Or do you fundamentally believe that he has taken action to change the law?” asked CBS reporter Major Garrett during the White House Press Briefing.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest explained that Obama was “speaking colloquially” when he made his remarks.

Earnest reaffirmed the White House position that it was the responsibility of Congress to write the laws and that the executive branch was in charge of implementing and enforcing them.

“I think the impact of the law certainly has been changed – in terms of the way that it affects, you know, millions of people who are in this country,” Earnest said. “I think that’s what the president was alluding to.”

“He did not literally mean he changed the law?” questioned Garrett.

“Again I think he was speaking colloquially there,” Earnest said, stumbling over the pronunciation of the word.

“Say that five times fast,” he laughed. “Maybe I’ll stop saying it.”