Trump’s racially charged tweets draw swift rebuke

President Donald Trump’s opponents accused him of xenophobia and racism on Sunday after he posted tweets calling on an unspecified group of Democratic congresswomen to “go back” to the countries he says they “originally came” from before trying to make legislative changes in the U.S.

The president wrote in three connected tweets:

“So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run.

“Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done. These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough. I’m sure that Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!”

Many presumed Trump’s tweets were directed at the four liberal freshman congresswomen known as “the Squad”: Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib. Three were born in the U.S. Omar arrived as a refugee from Somalia more than 20 years ago and is an American citizen.

“Mr. President, As Members of Congress, 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,” Omar replied to Trump’s tweet.

“Mr. President, the country I ‘come from’ & the country we all swear to, is the United States. But given how you’ve destroyed our border with inhumane camps, all at a benefit to you & the corps who profit off them, you are absolutely right about the corruption laid at your feet,” Ocasio-Cortez said in her response.

“Yo @realDonaldTrump, I am fighting corruption in OUR country,” Tlaib tweeted.

“I do it every day when I hold your admin accountable as a U.S. Congresswoman. Detroit taught me how to fight for the communities you continue to degrade & attack. Keep talking, you’ll be out of the WH soon.”

The Democratic infighting was the subject of a “Fox & Friends” segment on Sunday that mentioned the four congresswomen by name and ran shortly before Trump posted his tweets. Some observers have noted that Trump’s tweets often appear to be related to what has aired on Fox News.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Sunday that she rejects Trump’s “xenophobic comments meant to divide our nation” and said they reaffirm that “his plan to ‘Make America Great Again’ has always been about making America white again.”