Donald John TrumpViolence erupts between counter-protestors, Trump supporters following DC rally Biden considering King for director of national intelligence: report Here are the 17 GOP women newly elected to the House this year MORE sparked bipartisan backlash on Thursday evening following reports that he referred to Haiti and African nations as "shithole countries" during a heated Oval Office meeting with lawmakers to discuss immigration.
Ludmya (Mia) LovePoll: McAdams neck and neck with GOP challenger in Utah Former NFL player Burgess Owens wins Utah GOP primary The Hill's Campaign Report: The political heavyweights in Tuesday's primary fights MORE (R-Utah), the nation's first Haitian-American representative, said the president's remarks were "unkind, divisive, elitist, and fly in the face of our nation’s values."
Orrin Grant HatchMellman: What happened after Ginsburg? Bottom line Bottom line MORE (Utah), called for a "detailed explanation" of Trump's comments, while Sen. James Lankford
James Paul LankfordJohn Kelly says Trump hurting national security by delaying Biden transition Lincoln Project resurfaces Kellyanne Conway tweet calling 306 electoral votes 'historic' Biden advisers: Trump transition delays putting national security at risk MORE (R-Okla.) called them "disappointing."Under no circumstances is it acceptable to degrade, denigrate, or dehumanize #TPS immigrants. The White House must immediately explain the situation and leave no doubt regarding what was said and in what context.
— Rep. Carlos CurbeloCarlos Luis CurbeloHouse adjusts format for dinner with new members after criticism Former GOP congressman calls for Biden to receive presidential briefings Former GOP lawmakers call on Trump to accept election results MORE (@RepCurbelo) January 11, 2018
The president calling #Haiti a "shithole country" ignores the contributions thousands of Haitians have made to our #SoFla community and nation. Language like that shouldn't be heard in locker rooms and it shouldn't be heard in the White House
— Ileana Ros-LehtinenIleana Carmen Ros-LehtinenTrump-backed Republican unseats Shalala in Miami House race Live updates: Democrats seek to extend House advantage Women rise on K Street — slowly MORE (@RosLehtinen) January 11, 2018
Democrats were less forgiving with their criticism and blasted Republicans for not going further to rebuke the White House.
"This is racism, plain and simple, and we need to call it that. My Republican colleagues need to call it that too," Rep. Tim Walz
Tim WalzMinnesota to offer free at-home tests amid rising COVID-19 cases Minnesota governor criticizes South Dakota governor over coronavirus response Hagedorn holds onto Minnesota House seat MORE (D-Minn.) tweeted.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) tweeted that Trump's comments "smack of blatant racism — odious and insidious racism masquerading poorly as immigration policy. He does not speak for me as an American." He echoed his comments on MSNBC.
America is better than this and our president should be too. https://t.co/RIhRpMd7If
— Senator Bob CaseyRobert (Bob) Patrick CaseyCasey says he isn't thinking about Pennsylvania gubernatorial bid in 2022 Senate Democrats hold talkathon to protest Barrett's Supreme Court nomination Two Loeffler staffers test positive for COVID-19 MORE (@SenBobCasey) January 11, 2018
I honestly cannot imagine the pain that those Oval Office comments are causing for immigrants and people of color everywhere. That does not represent who we are as a country. I’m sorry, and we are fighting for you.
— Brian SchatzBrian Emanuel SchatzTech CEOs clash with lawmakers in contentious hearing Bitter fight over Barrett fuels calls to nix filibuster, expand court Senate Democrats hold talkathon to protest Barrett's Supreme Court nomination MORE (@brianschatz) January 11, 2018
It appears as if the color of money isn’t the only color @realDonaldTrump cares about. These are words of hate and we must condemn them on many sides.https://t.co/SUY7Mr3TEe
— Ed MarkeyEd MarkeyBiden chooses a White House chief who 'matches this moment' Markey reiterates calls for nuclear no-first-use policy amid Pentagon shake-up Biden has his work cut out for him MORE (@SenMarkey) January 11, 2018
The White House issued a statement Thursday in response to the Post's story and did not deny Trump's use of the term "shithole" to describe Haiti and African nations.
The president has been quoted in the past making disparaging comments about Haitian and Nigerian immigrants, comments that were swiftly denied and called "outrageous" by White House officials.
“Certain Washington politicians choose to fight for foreign countries, but President Trump will always fight for the American people,” White House spokesman Raj Shah said Thursday.
Trump's comments came amid a push for a bipartisan deal on immigration as lawmakers rush to meet a Jan. 19 deadline to fund the government.
A bipartisan group of senators said Thursday they had clinched a deal to provide protections to young immigrants known as Dreamers, but faced pushback from Trump and GOP leadership.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said during a press briefing later in the day, "There has not been a deal reached yet. However, we still think we can get there and we are very focused on trying to make sure that happens."
