Lawmakers stunned by Trump’s ‘racist outburst’ in Oval Office
Bring in more Norwegians and ‘take Haitians out,’ president says in talks on immigration reform
WASHINGTON— U.S. President Donald Trump grew frustrated with lawmakers Thursday in the Oval Office when they floated restoring protections for immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and African countries as part of a bipartisan immigration deal, according to several people briefed on the meeting.
“Why are we having all these people from s---hole countries come here?” Trump said, according to these people, referring to countries mentioned by the lawmakers.
Trump then suggested the U.S. should instead bring more people from countries like Norway, whose prime minister he met with on Wednesday. The president, according to a White House official, also suggested he would be open to more immigrants from Asian countries be- cause they help the U.S. economically.
The president also reportedly singled out Haiti, telling lawmakers that immigrants from that country must be left out of any deal. “Why do we need more Haitians?” Trump said, according to people familiar with the meeting. “Take them out.”
The comments left lawmakers taken aback, according to people familiar with their reactions. Senators Lindsey Graham, a Republican, and Richard Durbin, a Democrat, had proposed cutting the visa lottery program by 50 per cent and then prioritizing countries already in the system, a White House official said.
A White House spokesperson defended Trump’s position on immigration without directly addressing the remarks. White House officials did not dispute the account. “Certain Washington politicians choose to fight for foreign countries, but President Trump will always fight for the American people,” Raj Shah said in a statement issued after the Washington Post first reported Trump’s remarks.
“Like other nations that have merit-based immigration, President Trump is fighting for permanent solutions that make our country stronger by welcoming those who can contribute to our society, grow our economy and assimilate into our great nation.”
Trump built his candidacy and presidency around hard stances on immigration, vowing to build a wall along the Mexican border and cut legal immigration by half. Officials at the Homeland Security have also increased immigration raids, including dozens earlier this week at convenience stores across the country.
The remarks were quickly met with scorn from Democrats and some Republicans and could throw another wrench into bipartisan discussions on immigration, which had shown promise in recent days, according to legislators.
Democrat Rep. Luis Gutierrez said the comments “will shake the confidence that people have” in the ongoing immigration policy talks.
“Democrats and Republicans in the Senate made a proposal. The answer is this racist outburst of the president. How can you take him seriously? They (Republicans) don’t believe in immigration — it’s always been about people of colour and keeping them out of this country,” Gutierrez said.
Democrat Rep. Cedric Richmond chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said on Twitter that Trump’s remarks “are further proof that his Make America Great Again Agenda is really a Make America White Again agenda.”