House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries
Hakeem Sekou JeffriesThis week: House Dems voting to hold Barr, Ross in contempt Trump doubles down after telling Democratic congresswomen to 'go back' to their countries Pressley: Democrats don't need 'any more black faces that don't want to be a black voice' MORE (N.Y.) on Monday denounced "phonies" in the Republican Party for failing to condemn President Trump
Donald John TrumpCNN's Camerota clashes with Trump's immigration head over president's tweet LA Times editorial board labels Trump 'Bigot-in-Chief' Trump complains of 'fake polls' after surveys show him trailing multiple Democratic candidates MORE after he invoked the Trail of Tears in a tweet mocking Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Ann WarrenTrump complains of 'fake polls' after surveys show him trailing multiple Democratic candidates Amazon warehouse workers strike on Prime Day Elizabeth Warren backs Amazon workers striking on Prime Day MORE (D-Mass.).
"Trail of tears massacre is part of Native American genocide perpetrated against millions of indigenous people. Mocking this shameful episode is a hateful trope," Jeffries wrote on Twitter.
Trail of tears massacre is part of Native American genocide perpetrated against millions of indigenous people.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) February 11, 2019
Mocking this shameful episode is a hateful trope.
When will newly “enlightened” Republicans denounce their so-called President?
PHONIES. https://t.co/QnyvkEAprT
Trump on Saturday mocked Warren's claims of Native American ancestry — one of his favorite targets against the senator — after she officially launched her 2020 presidential campaign.
Today Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to by me as Pocahontas, joined the race for President. Will she run as our first Native American presidential candidate, or has she decided that after 32 years, this is not playing so well anymore? See you on the campaign TRAIL, Liz!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2019
The line was viewed as a reference to the forced relocation of Native American tribes, an event that led to the deaths of thousands of Cherokee between 1830 and 1850.
Trump has repeatedly attacked Warren over her past claims of Native American ancestry and has consistently referred to her as "Pocahontas" in tweets and at campaign rallies.
Warren announced her bid for president over the weekend, vowing to fight against a "rigged system" of which she said the billionaire GOP president was a "symptom."
The Massachusetts senator has come under scrutiny recently for previously identifying herself as Native American and releasing a DNA test showing she likely has a distant Native American ancestor. Warren publicly apologized for previously identifying as a Native American last week.
