Yesterday President Trump presided over a follow-up meeting at the White House to discuss a potential bipartisan deal on immigration (DACA) and border security. During the discussion, President Trump renewed his opposition to immigration, especially non-European immigration. He questioned why the U.S. allows immigrants from “shithole countries” referring to African nations and Haiti. The commonality is clear and consistent with Trump’s racist views throughout the campaign and in office. While the President may not have scripted the exact words, his message was intentional. His base was riled up in concern over what they saw as Trump’s softening on immigration stemming from working a bipartisan deal with Congress. He wanted to offer them a strong message reaffirming his commitment to their concerns. This is what is deplorable.
Everyone remembers Hillary Clinton referring to some of Trump’s supporters as a “basket of deplorables.” This was one of the biggest political misspeak/gaffes in history and backfired on her in a significant way. That said, here is unfortunate evidence of Clinton’s point. First, that there remains a key element of Trump’s base that not only supported but demanded such a statement by the President to assuage their concerns that he was abandoning or softening on immigration. Second, that the President himself would publicly refer to African nations as “shithole countries” and implicitly stating we should not allow immigrants from predominantly Black countries. Trump ignored the fact that many of these immigrants are well-educated, capable people. Racism of any kind is abhorrent and against everything our country stands for.
Not to get off point, but this is not only a problem domestically, but challenges our standing in the world. Our closest ally, the U.K., is united in its opposition to President Trump’s blatant and dangerous racism. Neither the royal family nor the British government would welcome President Trump and certainly not provide the pomp and circumstance he demands for all trips abroad. Therefore, he cancelled his upcoming trip to open the new U.S. embassy and had to lie about the reason to try and save face. Well, the truth is now out and there is no hiding. The President is hurting our critical relationships with Europe and a large part of it stems from his tacit racism, an issue Europeans understand all to well.
If one could understand why Republcan leaders publicly stand by President Trump for party loyalty and to ensure passage of the GOP agenda, thus remaining silent about his many improprieties, it needs to stop here. Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell, and other Republican leaders must condemn this statement and the racism it evokes. Any leader who continues to turn a blind eye forfeits their integrity. This is too simple of an opportunity to excuse their continued inaction. It is deplorable…