Donald Trump's Tweet Row: US Congresswomen Respond to US President's 'Racist' And 'Xenophobic' Comments
President Donald attacked four progressive US Congresswomen Trump Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib in a series of racist tweets. However, the women urged the US people "not to take the bait". Addressing the reporters, the four women, known as the Squad- all said the focus should be on policy and not the President's words
Washington, July 16: President Donald Trump is facing the heat of his scathing comments on four Democratic Congresswomen of colour saying that they hated America and that one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress sympathized with Al Qaeda. Trump is being criticised by members of his own party who have called his tweets as racist and xenophobic. US President Donald Trump and Democrats Clash Over Racism.
At a Monday press conference, representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib urged the US people "not to take the bait". Addressing the reporters, the four women, known as the Squad- all said the focus should be on policy and not the President's words. Ms Pressley as quoted in a BBC News report said, "This is simply a disruption and a distraction from the callous chaos and corrupt culture of this administration, all the way down."
According to an ANI report, "I am not surprised when the President says that four sitting members of Congress should 'go back to their own country' when he has authorized raids without warrants on thousands of families across this country. I am not surprised that he used the rhetoric that he does when he violates international human rights and takes thousands of children away from their families," said Ocasio-Cortez."
While the four ladies were having their press conference, Trump tweeted "We will never be a Socialist or Communist Country. IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY HERE, YOU CAN LEAVE! It is your choice and your choice alone. This is about love for America. Certain people HATE our Country."
Check his tweet here:
Other Democratic leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have criticised Trump for his statements, backing her fellow Democrats despite their differences. She had earlier announced that the US House of Representatives would be voting on a resolution "condemning" the President's xenophobic tweets.
On Sunday, Trump tweeted against these four Democratic progressive lawmakers and said: "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came." On Monday, Trump defended his tweets. "They hate our country. They hate it, I think, with a passion. Now, it's possible I'm wrong. The voter will decide. But when I hear the way they talk about our country, when I hear the anti-Semitic language they use, when I hear the hatred they have for Israel, and the love they have for enemies like al Qaeda -- then you know what?” he asked.
Later in the day, Democrats introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives condemning the alleged racist tweets.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 16, 2019 10:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).