Politics & Government
Trump Tweets Target Minnesota’s Ilhan Omar, Other Congresswomen
In the tweets, the minority lawmakers were told to "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came."
President Donald Trump took aim at four freshman congresswomen over the weekend, including Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, stating they "originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe" and they should "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came."
While Trump’s tweets didn’t specifically name any representatives, reports said four U.S. representatives known for their progressive views and tensions with moderate Democrats viewed the tweets as directed at them. Those representatives include Omar, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, NPR reported.
So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2019
....and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run. Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2019
....it is done. These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough. I’m sure that Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2019
As members of Congress, all four minority women are U.S. citizens. All but Omar were born in the United States. Omar was born in Somalia and was brought to the U.S. as a child when her family fled civil war in the African country.
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Three of the four women responded to the president on Twitter.
Mr. President, As Members of Congress, the only country we swear an oath to is the United States. Which is why we are fighting to protect it from the worst, most corrupt and inept president we have ever seen. https://t.co/FBygHa2QTt
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) July 14, 2019
You are stoking white nationalism bc you are angry that people like us are serving in Congress and fighting against your hate-filled agenda. “America's answer to the intolerant man is diversity, the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired.” -RFK
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) July 14, 2019
You are angry because you don’t believe in an America where I represent New York 14, where the good people of Minnesota elected @IlhanMN, where @RashidaTlaib fights for Michigan families, where @AyannaPressley champions little girls in Boston. /2
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 14, 2019
You are angry because you can’t conceive of an America that includes us. You rely on a frightened America for your plunder. You won’t accept a nation that sees healthcare as a right or education as a #1 priority, especially where we’re the ones fighting for it. Yet here we are.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 14, 2019
THIS is what racism looks like. WE are what democracy looks like. And we’re not going anywhere. Except back to DC to fight for the families you marginalize and vilify everyday. pic.twitter.com/vYzoxCgN0X
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) July 14, 2019
On Monday, Trump tweeted again, demanding an apology from the lawmakers, Politico reported.
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When will the Radical Left Congresswomen apologize to our Country, the people of Israel and even to the Office of the President, for the foul language they have used, and the terrible things they have said. So many people are angry at them & their horrible & disgusting actions!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 15, 2019
Several lawmakers came to the congresswomen's defense, including Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
When @realDonaldTrump tells four American Congresswomen to go back to their countries, he reaffirms his plan to “Make America Great Again” has always been about making America white again. Our diversity is our strength and our unity is our power. https://t.co/ODqqHneyES
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 14, 2019
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also was among the first Republican lawmakers who spoke out against the tweets, telling the president to "aim higher" in his critique.
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