Cummings urges Trump to ‘come to Baltimore’
BALTIMORE – Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings took the high road Saturday, inviting President Donald Trump and other Americans to visit Baltimore but declining to respond in kind to the barrage of presidential tweets and comments disparaging him and the majority-black city he has long represented
“We are a great community,” Cummings, the chairman of the powerful House Oversight committee investigating the administration, said in his first public remarks about the controversy as he participated in the midday opening of a small neighborhood park.
Community leaders and residents gathered to cut the ribbon on a pocket of greenery and flowers, built from what had been a vacant lot often used as a dumping ground for trash.
“Come to Baltimore. Do not just criticize us, but come to Baltimore and I promise you, you will be welcomed,” he said.
Cummings said he doesn’t have time for those who criticize the city but wants to hear from people willing to help make the community better. He noted support he has received, thousands of emails, and the presence at the event of leaders from the University of Maryland’s medical center, foundations and businesses.
Asked directly by reporters afterward if there would be a meeting with Trump, the congressman said he’d love to see Trump in the city.
“The president is welcome to our district,” he said.
In a weeklong series of attacks, Trump called the Baltimore district a “rat and rodent infested mess” and complained about Cummings, whose district includes key parts of the city.
The president widened his attack on other cities he did not name but complained are run by Democrats.
Cummings’ comments Saturday came at another pivotal juncture for the administration, as half of House Democrats now say they favor launching an impeachment inquiry against Trump. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has declined to move ahead with proceedings until there is a greater groundswell, including in public opinion.
Cummings, whose committee is one of the six House committees investigating the Trump administration, said Saturday he was not yet ready to support impeachment.
“There may well come a time when impeachment is appropriate,” he told reporters. But for now, he said, he agrees with Pelosi’s approach and said his committee would continue its investigations. “I’m trying to be fair to him,” he said. “That’s why we need to do our research.”
Amos Gaskins, who lives across the street from the park and stepped out to greet Cummings, said the congressman has been through “a lot” and added, “He’s doing a great job, a beautiful job.”
“We’re not what you call a dirty city and a dirty people,” Gaskins said. “Donald Trump shouldn’t have said that. That’s uncalled for.”