Washington – They’re all women of color. Every one of them is an American citizen. And of the four members of the self-styled “squad” duly elected to the House of Representatives, only one was born outside the U.S.
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In racist tweets over the weekend, President Donald Trump almost certainly was referring to this group of liberal House freshmen whose elections in 2018 helped return the chamber to Democratic control. Among Trump’s tweets: “Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.”
Trump defended the tweets Monday and suggested the Democrats leave the country if they have complaints. Condemnation poured in from Democrats and — slowly — a selection of Republicans.
Here’s a look at the lawmakers Trump referenced:
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, 29
The Bronx-born former bartender is the charismatic star of the class of 2018, winning her seat in a primary and turning her massive social media following into a measure of power on Capitol Hill.
Ocasio-Cortez, a self-described democratic socialist, has clashed with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over the influence of newcomers. She’s also been conspicuously courted by some of the party’s many presidential candidates, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
To Trump, she tweeted:
“Mr. President, the country I ‘come from,’ & the country we all swear to, is the United States.”
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Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, 36
Omar was a child when her family fled civil war in Somalia, an African nation of about 12 million, after it was shattered by a civil war in 1991. She spent years in a refugee camp in Kenya and immigrated to the United States as a refugee in 1995. Omar became eligible for citizenship five years after the family entered.
Omar became a U.S. citizen in 2000.
In the House, she has repeatedly run up against more senior Democrats over her remarks about Israel and what she said was the need to question the Jewish state’s influence in Washington.
To Trump, she tweeted:
“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.”
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Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, 42
The Detroit native is the first Palestinian American elected to the House. She and Omar are the first Muslim American women to serve in the chamber.
And like Omar, Tlaib made a name for herself almost immediately after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gaveled the new session of Congress into session in January. That night, Tlaib was videotaped talking to a liberal group — saying of Trump: “We’re gonna impeach the motherf—er.”
No such effort is underway even now, in large part because Pelosi and other Democrats don’t see bipartisan public sentiment for doing so.
To Trump, Tlaib tweeted:
“Keep talking, you just make me work harder. I’m proud of my Palestinian roots & a WEAK bully like you never wins.”
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Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, 45
A Cincinnati native raised in Chicago, Pressley worked for Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy and worked for John Kerry for 13 years while he served in the Senate.
In 2009, she ran for an at-large seat on Boston City Council and became the first woman of color elected to the body in its 100-year history.
Of Trump’s tweets, she responded:
“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.”
Gut Gezukt Mr. President.
So they are minority women. Does this give them special privileges? They are hateful and bigoted, and spew hatered and bigotry themselves and at the same time show no love for this democratic country. They cannot get over the fact that Trump won the election to the presidency.
They’re all women of color. Every one of them is an American citizen.
Nothing to do with skin color. Thats alot of nonsense and lies. They ahppen to be the 4 newly elected progressives making the noise. trump is attacking their radiclaism not skin color. In fact Trump is an equal opportunist whether its little marco, lyin ted etc… i assure you all if any of these dudes where white Trump would attack too. This is classic fake news lies
Yes they are citzens so what?? Trumps point is clear. You guys are coming in and selling yourself as people with diverse cutlures, as people who are proud of their country of orgin, as people from immigrant familes. So he is saying if you are so proud of your heritage from S*hole countries go back where your hertige came from and live there.
Such spins and fake news lies. Esp the tzimuus around women of color. That’s just who the noise makers are. nonsense
WEAK bully like you never wins.”
Um Talib i have news for you. He won. he is president.
Another misleading headline. I suppose next you’ll be telling us how racist Nancy Pelosi is.There was nothing racist in any of his tweets. These goons play the race card , When they can’t make a cogent argument, And you buy into it hook line and sinker. Shame on you
Thank you, Mr. Trump, for raising the profile of these 4 politicians.
Nice job!
They are 4 anti American congresswomen of which at least 3 are anti Israel and at least 2 are Jew haters. President Trump has forced the democrats to come out in defence of these anti American anti Israel Jew haters, genius.
As I had said at other times, these people (and/or their supporters in their name) are the ones who “started it” long earlier with attacking Trump for various things like his German ancestry and the like, so legitimately gets to throw it back at them.
Too bad I can’t read this article because Vosizneias is committing motzi shame rah on the President of the United States. His appropriate comments about clear enemies of the US, Jews, & Israel had NOTHING to do with their race. It’s disgusting of your “news” site to copy & paste AP trash in what seems to be your general hate-filled agenda.