Trump faces backlash for racist tweets
LETTERS LETTERS@USATODAY.COM
President Donald Trump just liberated House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, DCalif., from party infighting because of his stinging comments and tweets about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass. Pelosi now owes Trump for saying what other politicians don’t have the courage to say: America — love it or leave it. Frank Klonoski St. Simons Island, Ga.
Trump allies in Congress have been relatively silent on his tweets about the four progressive representatives. Pundits say these allies fear retribution from the White House, even if they privately believe that this racism is wrong. Is this a serious case of quiet cowardice? Mike Carlton Chagrin Falls, Ohio
While assigned to the European Command in 1994, I served in South Africa during the run-up to Nelson Mandela’s presidential election. I saw firsthand his vision to unite the nation through truth and reconciliation. Supporting reconciliation means actively working to overcome division, not just empty words. Republicans should consider this and act accordingly. Michael E. Waters Elmore, Ala.
FACEBOOK USA TODAY OPINION
Trump’s comments were certainly in poor taste and unpresidential. That said, I don’t see any reference to race, ethnicity or skin color, so I don’t quite get the “racist” verdict. Chris Nelson
When I saw Trump’s remarks, my thoughts were: Just sit back and watch Pelosi and the four congresswomen fight within their own party. Douglas Miller
Trump is telling those who bash America to leave. I don’t see anything wrong with that. Paula Byrd
The congresswomen are busy trying to “Make America Great Again.” Meanwhile, Trump is busy trying to tear America apart. Angie Jahns
It’s the supporters of the racist president who hate America, not these congresswomen. His base betrays the Constitution by supporting a traitor who sides with Russian and North Korean leaders over our own law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Dee Thorne
Democrats make everything a racial issue. If it’s so bad here, then change it. Scott Connelly