President Donald Trump dropped Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN) name at his rally in North Carolina Wednesday night, nodding as the crowd started screaming “send her back!”
Omar fled Somalia as a refugee in her pre-teen years, and is an American citizen.
Here are the Republican reactions so far to this newest bout of blatant racism and xenophobia.
Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC):
Though it was brief, I struggled with the “send her back” chant tonight referencing Rep. Omar. Her history, words & actions reveal her great disdain for both America & Israel. That should be our focus and not phrasing that’s painful to our friends in the minority communities.
— Rep. Mark Walker (@RepMarkWalker) July 18, 2019
Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) via a TIME reporter:
.@RepTomEmmer on Trump’s send her back chants: “I didn’t watch the rally but there is no place for that.” Reiterates Trump “does not have a racist bone in his body”
— Alana Abramson (@aabramson) July 18, 2019
Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY):
Fox Business Network’s Maria Bartiromo did not ask him specifically about the chanting, but did ask for reactions to the President’s comments at the rally. McConnell replied that “he’s right” about “the squad wanting to turn us into a socialist country.”
“What he should have added, however, is that it’s a lot broader than just four of them,” he added. “You know the speaker, the Democratic leader of the Senate, a whole lot of others including presidential candidates have all signed up for things like the Green New Deal.”
He added later that “the President is onto something here” about his dire warnings that electing a Democrat in 2020 will result in a socialist takeover.
In reaction to Trump rally, McConnell says that POTUS is right that “the squad” is trying to turn America into a socialist country pic.twitter.com/Z4PGLwpPgg
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) July 18, 2019
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL):
I deeply disagree with the extreme left & have been disgusted by their tone. I woke up today equally disgusted – chants like “send her back” are ugly, wrong, & would send chills down the spines of our Founding Fathers. This ugliness must end, or we risk our great union.
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) July 18, 2019
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Rubio called Trump’s tweets earlier this week “wrong” and the “chant last night grotesque,” but then accused Democrats and the media of being hypocrites.
The tweet was wrong & the chant last night grotesque
The left wing politicians & many in the media demanding outrage are self righteous hypocrites
And the “outrage & response cycle” allows for only 2 sides & demands you pick or else
It’s a stupid game that I refuse to play pic.twitter.com/AhM4epeqNx
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 18, 2019
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC):
“The point is, they’re all American citizens entitled to their voice,” Graham told a scrum of reporters. “And when they do provocative things, they’re going to be met with provocation.”
“I’ve said before that if you’re a Somali refugee wearing a MAGA hat, he doesn’t want to send you back, you’d probably have dinner at the White House,” he continued. “What does that tell me? That it’s about the criticism and the critic. The President believes that what they are doing is over the top.”
Graham says that Trump would never say “send them back” about a refugee from Somalia wearing a MAGA hat pic.twitter.com/r8ljIG7cIM
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) July 18, 2019
Sen. Tom Reed (R-NY):
“That is obviously rhetoric that I don’t engage in, nor do I support,” Reed told CNN’s Kate Boudan. “But at the end of the day, the contrast in the position is what we’re going to be facing here in this upcoming election. It is going to be about big government socialism versus standing for America, standing with America and being proud of America. Don’t apologize for America.”
Reed says he “obviously” doesn’t support racism, but that 2020 will be about “big government socialism versus standing for America” pic.twitter.com/pRyOzjgXBL
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) July 18, 2019
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS):
“My view is that the congresswomen who the President referred to are American citizens, they are elected officials,” Moran said at a town hall, per the Wichita Eagle. “It is inappropriate to suggest they go home to any place – they are home.”
Sen. Roy Blunt (R-KS):
“Just because the so-called squad constantly insults and attacks the President isn’t a reason to adopt their unacceptable tactics. There is plenty to say about how destructive House Democrats’ policies would be for our economy, our health care system, and our security,” Blunt said in a statement obtained by the Eagle. “I think that’s where the focus should be.”
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT):
The chants at last night’s rally were offensive, and I’m glad the President has disavowed them.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) July 18, 2019
Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld (R) who is mounting a primary challenge against Trump:
I challenge every Republican to watch @realDonaldTrump’s rally last night, complete with chants of “Send her back”, and ask if that is the Party of Lincoln and Reagan we signed up for. We are in a fight for the soul of the GOP, and silence is not an option. #AmericaDeservesBetter
— Gov. Bill Weld (@GovBillWeld) July 18, 2019
The “Fox and Friends” team:
Contributor Guy Benson called the chanting “not a great look for [Trump],” but host Brian Kilmeade quickly jumped in with a defense, saying “It gives MSNBC and CNN something to focus on as opposed to a raucous speech that not any of the 24 [Democratic candidates] could possibly have done.”
“Fox and Friends” reacts to the “send her back” chanting at Trump’s North Carolina rally pic.twitter.com/3dDPmPbrV6
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) July 18, 2019
Former House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH):
This post will be updated as more reactions roll in throughout the day.
