Dems say Trump, GOP, twist Rep. Tlaib’s Holocaust remarks

WASHINGTON — Democrats on Monday defended a freshman member of their ranks as they blamed President Donald Trump and his allies for mischaracterizing her remarks about the Holocaust to accuse her of anti-Semitism.

Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib told a Yahoo News podcast that she gets “a calming feeling” when she thinks of “the tragedy of the Holocaust” and how the suffering of her Palestinian ancestors helped in trying to create “a safe haven” for Jews in the new state of Israel.

The remark instantly ignited an online fight, with Republicans incorrectly describing Tlaib’s words as reflecting her feelings about the genocide itself that cost millions of lives, including 6 million Jews.

Trump spread the idea by tweeting on Monday that Tlaib has a “hatred” of Israel and Jews.

A Democratic leader demanded an apology to Tlaib.

“If you read Rep. Tlaib’s comments, it is clear that President Trump and Congressional Republicans are taking them out of context,” said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland. “They must stop, and they owe her an apology.”

Republicans pounced on the phrasing “calming feeling,” as they called on Democrats to stand against what House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney called “anti-Semitism.”

Tlaib shot back in a statement that Republicans were twisting her words.

“Policing my words, twisting & turning them to ignite vile attacks on me will not work,” she said. “I will never allow you to take my words out of context . ... The truth will always win.”