Republicans hit Trump over Mexico comments

Candidates: Remarks ‘not reflective’ of GOP

As Donald Trump climbs in some polls, other Republican presidential candidates are criticizing the businessman over his comments that too many migrants from Mexico are rapists, drug dealers and criminals.

“I’ve said very clearly that Donald Trump does not represent the Republican Party,” Rick Perry said Sunday on ABC’s This Week. “I was offended by his remarks. Listen, Hispanics in America and Hispanics in Texas, from the Alamo to Afghanistan, have been ex- traordinary people, citizens of our country and of our state.” Mike Huckabee said on CNN’s

State of the Union that Trump “made a severe error in saying what he did about Mexican Americans, and it is unfortunate.”

While stumping Saturday in New Hampshire, Jeb Bush said everybody wants to protect the borders, “but to make these extraordinarily ugly kind of comments is not reflective of the Republican Party. Trump is wrong on this.”

Responding to Bush, Trump said his focus is on illegal immigration, and “Jeb is mischaracterizing my statements only to inflame” people against him. “I believe in securing our border by building a wall, which will protect our safety, economy and national security,” Trump said.

At his campaign announcement last month, Trump said Mexico is not sending “their best” people into the USA: “They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” On Fox News Channel’s Media

Buzz Sunday, Trump stood by his controversial comments: “I can’t apologize for the truth.”

Since his announcement, Trump has finished second to Bush in a number of early polls.

Business groups have cut ties with Trump over the comments, and his Republican opponents are pouncing.

“Trump’s comments are not just offensive and inaccurate, but also divisive,” Marco Rubio said over the holiday weekend. Others demurred on Trump. Rick Santorum said on CBS’

Face The Nation he doesn’t agree with Trump’s “verbiage,” but Trump is raising legitimate questions about illegal immigration.

Ted Cruz, in an interview on NBC’s Meet The Press, said Trump is “bold” and “brash,” and the Washington media are interested only in seeing Republican candidates attack each other.

“They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some … are good people.”

Donald Trump on Mexican immigrants