HOUSE VOTES TO CONDEMN `RACIST’ TWEETS BY TRUMP AGAINST FOUR CONGRESSWOMEN OF COLOR

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By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – For the first time in over 100 years, the House of Representatives today voted to condemn the actions of a President. Congressional members voted 240 to 187 to formally condemn President Donald Trump’s Twitter posts attacking four minority Congresswomen as “racist,” in the words of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in her floor speech.

The action came in response to Trump slamming the four Congresswomen of color for criticizing his administration, then stating that they should go back to the countries they came from.

However, three of the four women are U.S. citizens who were born in the USA.

Specifically, Trump said the Democratic Congresswomen “originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world,” then stated, “Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places fro which they came…you can’t leave fast enough.”  He later double-down, stating that the women “hate America.”

The four Congresswomen attacked in the President’s tweets are representatives Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. Omar is a Muslim born in Somalia and is a naturalized citizen. The women have made at-times controversial remarks, such as Ocasio-Cortez calling migrant detention centers “concentration camps” or Omar’s comments on Israel and Palestine. But even some Republican members of Congress told media that Congress should respect the rights of its members to speak out, even when members disagree.

The resolution was introduced by Congressman Tom Malinowski, a New Jersey Democrat who was born in Poland. Many of the Congressional cosponsors were also born overseas.

The resolution states in part that “immigrants and their descendants have made America stronger,” then “strongly condemns President Donald Trump’s racist comments that have legitimized and increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of color.”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi told of attending Catholic mass on Sunday in a Hispanic church and hearing a sermon on the good Samaritan, who helped foreigners, shortly before Trump issued his blistering tweets.  She quote quotes supporting immigrants by presidents from our founding fathers to Ronald Reagan, then urged her colleagues to unanimously pass the resolution.

Her call for the vote was interrupted by Republican Doug Collins of Georgia, who demanded that her remarks be stricken from the record for violating House decorum. He claimed the resolution was meant to "make a mockery of their own leadership abiities because they do't like this president."  After the contentious session, Pelosi's remarks remained on the record and the measure passed with only four Republicans and one independent joined with Democrats to vote for the resolution.

View the entire debate which ran more than nine hours on C-span: https://www.c-span.org/video/?462651-2/houses-votes-condemn-president-tr...

No similar measure will be introduced in the Senate, where Senate President Pro Team Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) stated tersely after today’s vote that “the President is no racist.”

Multiple major media outlets such as CBS News termed the tweets “racist” in headlines.

But Trump insists his tweets were “Not Racist,” in a tweet before the vote, which he called a “Democratic con game. Republicans should not show ‘weakness’ and fall into their trap.”

At the White House after the vote, the President said again of the four American Congresswomen of color, “They can leave.”

The tweets are only the latest in a long string of actions by the President that many have characterized as racist, including his comments calling Mexicans “rapists and murderers” and his statement that there were “good people on both sides” of a Neo-Nazi  rally in Charlottesville, VA at which a protester was killed by a white Supremacist who rammed his vehicle into a crowd and was later convicted of murder.

Congress has adopted resolutions to condemn actions of a president only twice before in American history. In 1860, President James Buchanan was admonished for steering contracts based on political party.  The Senate adopted a resolution condemning President Andrew Jackson for withholding documents in 1834, though that action was later expunged when Jackson’s political party regained control of the Senate.

All other resolutions to condemn or censure a president have failed. However, two presidents, Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, were impeached by the House but both were acquitted by the Senate.

Read the resolution condemning President Trump:

https://apps.npr.org/documents/document.html?id=6200155-House-Resolution-Condemning-Trump-Comments 

 

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Comments

Respect for Trump? ROFLM_O!!!

Not gonna happen. I do not respect people who show blatant disrespect for others. I don't give a doggone who they are - including POTUS! Keep on blindly following your leaders at all cost. Not me, I'll take a different road.

Grandfather

Then why and how can you respect the Ridiculous 4? They say terrible things against our country and our president. They are poorly educated and have absolutely no respect for anyone! I think they are deplorable and not on a good way.

Untraveled roads

Try I-5 Southbound about 100 miles Grandpa!

Slatbaum 0, Deplorablde Girl 5

Writing from inside the bubble keeps old habits, ideology and bias strong. Weak minds don't see America vs the rest of the world and especially 3rd world countries. Democrats invented racism and continue to foster it cloaked in "free". I'll bet I am much older then those two writers and have witnessed much more change in America. As a native San Diegan, the changes began uphill for Mexicans here as a result of "illegal immigration" For blacks, as a group they have moved passed much of the discrimination swill, became more educated, more involved in their Country America and earned much respect; mostly empty of racism. The Mexicans? Mostly uneducated, do not speak the language of "my" Country, fill our jails and prisons, organize ruthless gangs in our cities, take free birthing for citizenship, education, welfare etc. compliments of people from that side of the issue - Democrats..........like Sanctuary State Newsome and our worthless State Legislature. and........all for Democratic votes. Go get em DG, you wear your stars and strips well.

This is a deeply racist country...

  • ... and the Republican Party is the honest party of white grievance. If anything, I "thank" Trump for bringing a long standing, deep pool of Republican denial to the surface where sunlight disinfects. It is only by admitting we have a problem that we can begin to treat it. I don't disclude myself: I grew up in a white supremacist culture and a lot of that habitual stuff just does not exit your head. It is work to be a recovering racist. To give you a sense, at least a strong plurality of the kids I grew up with regularly parroted their parent's concerns about black people moving into our mostly white - in the 1970s - city and "ruining" property values and corrupting their daughters. I'm not kidding, it was that naked.
  • I'll raise you all one now, Democrats are not much better. Pelosi is battling a new generation of POC representing diverse districts, struggling to control them. That is just what the Democratic party is: diversity is welcome as long as it keeps in line and shows nothing but gratitude for being allowed in the party. However strange it is to say, in some ways I respect the honest racism of today's wicked Republicans over the feeble triangulation and fecklessness of the Democrats.
  • I as a X-er, a rural white cis man who loves cats, guns, jeeps, and academics, I will certainly be voting for younger pols of color like Campa-Najjar, *even if* they are part of a feckless waste of a political party. Maybe things can change? But I don't support Democrats in the primary elections - it is just too embarrassing to be part of a centrist party who only flirts with justice.
  • So we all need to grow up quite a bit, accept who we are as a nation, and begin to really address what history will show was Trump's honestly in addressing the very real, deep, base of his own party - and blowing their cover for his own political gain.
Brett Stalbaum Shelter Valley, CA

I repectfully disagree...

While the above statements may reflect your own life and experiences, mine have been nothing like that. Sad to hear that your only qualifications for candidates in local elections is that they be "younger politicians of color". Maybe you should re-read your own post and reflect on that statement. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Nope

Unlike the silent and baby boom generations, I am oriented to the success of the country and not just reserving all the benefits for myself and people my age and color. I have reflected, deeply. We are a broken nation held back by unconscionable racial sins past and present. I have already voted "for" my last white Democrats, and I will never vote for members of an openly racist party. I'm extremely happy that Trump pulled all of the hoods off! There is nowhere to hide, and history is even written in comments to a local newspaper. And if you have any doubts about the future of immigration in this country, just look at the present. Look at this article also from this very East County Magazine website: CALIFORNIA HAS MORE IMMIGRANT-OWNED BUSINESSES THAN ANY OTHER STATE You may not be as happy with the future as I am, DeplorableGirl, but you might want get with the flow of history anyway. Just for selfish reasons, because you are not going to win.

For the record....

I should mention that I personally don't have any issues with legal immigration or immigrant owned businesses, not sure where you got that idea. But I'd like to put the shoe on the other foot regarding your above statement of targeting "younger politicians of color" with your votes. Imagine if I came on here and openly stated that I would only be voting for older white politicians, I bet you'd call me a racist, wouldn't you...?

You're entitled to your opinion,

even if it's wrong. I have a hunch you've spent a lifetime being indoctrinated by our Liberal educational institutions, but I can appreciate your stance, to each their own. Regarding the reference to the immigrant owned businesses, I'm not sure what that proves other than what has already been well established in this state. I would remind you that there are 49 others, many of which would disagree with your observation. Intelligence is a gift, ignorance is a choice.

Of course

We are Americans, so it is meaningless to observe that we have a right to opinions. But here is a thing: who posts confidently with their real name? And who hides behind the internet because they know their opinions are noxious to the future of this great nation? Something to think about.

Your comment ?????

Don't understand your comment. Perhaps my low grades in English? Was it about me putting my name where my mouth is? Hide? Don't think so, I put my home address on some of my comments. "Something to think about'? Enlighten me.....

Good point here it comes

I received a nickname based on my tall lean body and was given the nickname Twiggy from my fellow firefighters, as a result. It has nothing to do with third genders. My e-mail address was given the prefix twiggy for ease of memory. I will ask Miriam to change my ID from twiggy to Barry A. Treahy, as she already knows and identifies with. Hope this takes the pain out of your ID issues.

Weak argument

and here's another thing: You don't see conservatives showing up at people's private residences, places of work, or interrupting their night out with their family, that's a tactic exclusive to the Left. There's plenty of good reason's people choose to remain anonymous and the thoughts and ideas of those who do, have just as much value as those who don't. This site is a safe-space for your ideas, not so much for mine. Something to think about.

About time! :-|

...maybe there are too many adjectives in what you're reading about President Trump! President Trump's twitter is the only way to find out for yourself exactly what he says and said. And, could we just have a little more respect for at least the office he holds?

...grandfather

...maybe there are too many adjectives in what you're reading about President Trump! President Trump's twitter is the only way to find out for yourself exactly what he says and said. And, could we just have a little more respect for at least the office he holds?

Jokes? and the House of what?

It if is "about time" for something grandpa, it would be in the form of what Francis Scott Key went through and how it took a war to submit realism to him and Americans. He blew it and realized it and hence wrote a famous American traditional song. There is no patriotism from Pelosci and those four obnoxious so called "Representatives of Americans"! There is no patriotism from most of the Democrats in Congress. Don't you folks believe in our Constitution, Bill of Rights, Country, Culture, Language, rule of law and what has made us great; thanks to our FOUNDERS! There is not one individual in this mess that stands up for our flag or our Country. I agree whole hardheartedly with our President and Commander in Chief..........Somewhat like Francis Scott Key, put and or detained off shore or in a 3rd world country that you can support and stand behind. AMERICA IS NOT FOR THOSE 4 flakes~!

They hurt us and USA!

President Trump did not state the "congresswomen" by name, nor by race, not even what "countries"; how can any of that be racist? Also, the cities these "congresswomen" come from are....as bad as some California cities; Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis! They could just go to those places, their cities and try to fix those messes rather than being so enlightened by "places and people" other than America and Americans. Is the OATH they all took to be in office for America and Americans above all else, or not? I am a patriot because my father was my hero (he was an Army chief, right up front). At 9 yrs old, I ironed his fatigues at 4am so he could go to maneuvers, gladly. I'm a patriot because all those who serve for our protection, make me proud unconditionally! I could never say the things these "congresswomen" said (still no name, no race in italics)....and still be a patriot!

What a joke....

This is the new platform of the DNC, it is all they have left to run on - racism. Disagree with a Democrat? You're a racist, Support Trump? You're a racist, Call out any of these junior freshman for their anti-American antisemitic comments? You're a racist! These 4, who have become the face of the Party don't have 24 months experience between them, yet you want them controlling the Party? AOC auditioned for the part for crying out loud, they are an embarrassment to the Party and our country. The DNC is digging a deeper and deeper hole from which there will be no return. Trump has done a masterful job of exposing the division within that party, watch it crumble. Make no mistake folks, we don't come back from this as a country. We're headed for a showdown and it isn't going to end well. One side supports our Constitution and the 2nd amendment, the other side can't figure out which bathroom to use - Good luck!

What a joke....

Oops, spilled a little giggling so much! Well said wonderful girl...

This is no joking matter, and we need to open our eyes to it!

This is definitely no joking matter, and we need to take seriously what is going on in the country that I love, and for the President to suggest that anyone go back to the country that they supposedly came from dishonors the office of the Presidency! Perhaps those embracing that point of view should read the attached book by Roy L. Brooks, Warren Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of San Diego.

Novel idea, Dennis

Why don't you start here, I'll include some quotes from the distinguished xenophobe, Omar;
  1. "Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel."
  2. "It's all about the Benjamins baby."
  3. "some people did something."
And here’s a take worth reading from one of my favorites, Tucker Carlson. “Ilhan Omar has an awful lot to be grateful for, but she isn't grateful, not at all. After everything America has done for Omar and for her family, she hates this country more than ever. In a recent piece in The Washington Post, the reporter put it this way, quote, "In Omar's version, America isn't the bighearted country that saved her from a brutal war and a bleak refugee camp. It wasn't a meritocracy that helped her attend college or vaulted her into Congress. Instead, it was the country that had failed to live up to its founding ideals, a place that had disappointed her and so many immigrants, refugees, and minorities like her," end quote. If anything, that's an understatement. Omar isn't disappointed in America, she's enraged by it. Virtually every public statement she makes accuses Americans of bigotry and racism. This is an immoral country, she says. She has undisguised contempt for the United States and for its people. That should worry you, and not just because Omar is now a sitting member of Congress. Ilhan Omar is living proof that the way we practice immigration has become dangerous to this country. A system designed to strengthen America is instead undermining it. Some of the very people we try hardest to help have come to hate us passionately. Maybe that's our fault for asking too little of our immigrants. We aren't self-confident enough to make them assimilate, so they never feel fully American. Or maybe the problem is deeper than that, maybe we are importing people from places whose values are simply antithetical to ours. Who knows what the problem is, but there is a problem, and whatever the cause, this cannot continue. It's not sustainable. No country can import large numbers of people who hate it and expect to survive. The Romans were the last to try that, with predictable results. So, be grateful for Ilhan Omar, annoying as she is. She's a living fire alarm, a warning to the rest of us that we better change our immigration system immediately, or else.” So Dennis, If you truly “love this country” then I’d suggest you start helping us defend it, rather than advocating for those bent on destroying it.

You and I should be friends!

I read all of the remarks and I always love how you write everything I believe! We are sisters from another mother for sure. All I can add is to vote straight republican in 2020 and get rid of the democrats in Sacramento. California used to be the best state, now its up there being the worst. I pray Trump continues to work to make our country stronger and more prosperous.

Trump's statement would be illegal for a federal employee to say

I strongly disagree with Omar's statements of Israel.

However, telling four women of color (three of whom were born in this country) to go back where they came from, and suggest they hate America for disagreeing with actions of the adminsitration is wrong and overtly racist-- so much so that it's actually prohibited by federal law. Federal law as enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission counts discrimination based on nation of origin as one of several kinds of prohibited discrimination.

One example the EEOC lists on its website matches nearly word-for-word the President’s tweets.

Examples of potentially unlawful conduct include insults, taunting, or ethnic epithets, such as making fun of a person’s foreign accent or comments like, “Go back to where you came from.”

 

Also, regarding Omar,

She may very well lose her citizenship if the reports of her marriage to her brother get more attention. That ship hasn't sailed just yet, stay tuned....

Content of Character?

We did, I believe, see and hear our current President say he walks up to women and grab them by their Pussy, correct? You may find that okay and perfectly normal but I find that a pretty good insight into this persons Character. Just like we saw into Bill Clinton’s character too late and many others since. Why would we want a President that has no Values? One of the qualifications is to set the bar. This President has buried the bar!

Like two peas in a pod....

echoing the same old arguments. You two continue to focus on what he says, while the rest of us focus on what he does. Personally, I don't really care if he said he "grabbed a pussy", or grabbed an ass, and since we're going off the rails with the language, I don't care if he grabbed a dick either. All i care about is that he's doing the job he was hired to do and that he's restoring the rule of law in this country which has been systemically eroded by the Democrat Party. So far, he's kicking ass and looks to be on his way to an easy re-election, so buckle up buttercups! And for the record, I didn't care that Bill Clinton got a smokey in the Oval Office either, and that happened DURING his presidency, not 12 years before he even ran for office. You two need to focus on the battle ahead of you, not the one behind.

Perfectly said

Adding ” don’t throw stones if you live in a glass house”.

We already knew

Oh yes Deplorable, we already knew where you were at on this. Just pointing out to the uninitiated how little norms mean to commenters like yourself that worship this guy. I worship no man.

https://youtu.be/BT-CNFYGsrE

LOL

You're definitely in no position to be the judge of anyone's character "GeneCarp", you've proven yourself on more than one occasion to be the ultimate hypocrite. Way to represent...

About time! :-[]

White House lackey Mitch McConnell (and others) denial of the truth as usual. This vote should have been 100% in favor of condemning Trumps Twitter rampage. He's been out of control far too long.

Attack dog- Grandpa

Almost every posting by you Grandpa smacks of Democrat vs Republican. I have to repeat myself, I am and have been, a registered Independent for at least 30 years. I bailed from the GOP for reasons. You sir, and I use that loosely; continually and without regard; make it plain that you are a Democrat and that the GOP and Republicans are trash. You blatantly call McConnell a lackey and demean our President & Commander in Chief. This is what the "main stream media continues to do since he took office". You are on the same rail. This is not the American way. If you graduated from any school in San Diego proper, I would guess Anthony Home.