U.S. Demoractic Congresswomen hit back at Donald Trump after ‘racist’ attack

Democratic Congresswomen targeted in a xenophobic tirade by President Donald Trump hit back on Monday, saying he was trying to distract attention away from his policies with his “blatantly racist attack.” The President first attacked the four lawmakers — all but one of whom were born in America — with a series of tweets on Sunday, saying they should “go back” to their countries of origin. The four — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts — struck back at a news conference on Monday and urged people not to “take the bait.” Mr. Trump was simply trying to distract with his “blatantly racist attack” on the four women of colour, Ms. Omar said. Ms. Tlaib said Mr. Trump’s tweets and remarks were “a continuation of his racist and xenophobic playbook.” “We cannot allow these hateful actions by the president to distract us from the critical work to hold this administration accountable to the inhumane conditions at the border that is separating children from their loved ones and caging them up in illegal, horrific conditions,” she said. If you’re not happy here, you can leave.” Mr. Trump also accused the four first-term Congresswomen — who are of Hispanic, Arab, Somali and African American origin — of having “love” for U.S. “enemies like Al-Qaeda.” Asked by a reporter whether he was concerned that many people saw his comments as racist, Mr. Trump said: “It doesn’t concern me because many people agree with me.” Mr. Trump’s extraordinary attacks on the lawmakers prompted outrage. “We must demand a higher standard of decorum and decency.” Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she disagreed with the policies espoused by the “far-left” Democratic lawmakers, but that Trump was “way over the line.” Texan Will Hurd, the only black Republican in the House of Representatives, told CNN that Mr. Trump’s behavior was “unbecoming of the leader of the free world.” New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern became the latest international leader to condemn Trump’s tweets.