Hoyer defends Tlaib Holocaust remarks after criticism from GOP

House Majority Leader Steny HoyerSteny Hamilton HoyerGOP leader taking proxy voting fight to Supreme Court Lobbying world Overnight Energy & Environment — Presented by the American Petroleum Institute — Feds target illegal gas practices MORE (D-Md.) is asking for an apology from the Republicans hammering Rep. Rashida TlaibRashida Harbi TlaibDemocrats brace for battle on Biden's .5 trillion spending plan 'Squad' members call on Biden to shut down Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota Progressives hit Manchin after he calls for 'pause' on Biden's .5T plan MORE (D-Mich.) over her recent comments on Israel and the Holocaust.

 

Hoyer said the Republicans, including President TrumpDonald TrumpBiden stumps for Newsom on eve of recall: 'The eyes of the nation are on California' On The Money: House Democrats cut back Biden tax hikes Abortion providers warn of 'chaos' if Supreme Court overrules Roe v Wade MORE, are twisting Tlaib's words in criticizing them as anti-Semitic.

 

"If you read Rep. Tlaib’s comments, it is clear that President Trump and Congressional Republicans are taking them out of context," Hoyer said in a brief email. "They must stop, and they owe her an apology."

 

Several hours later, Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiWashington ramps up security ahead of Sept. 18 rally How social media fuels U.S. political polarization — what to do about it The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Man with machete, swastika outside DNC HQ ahead of weekend Jan. 6 rally MORE (D-Calif.) also weighed in, amplifying the call for Trump and Tlaib's GOP critics to apologize. At issue is a recent interview Tlaib, one of two Muslim women in Congress, gave to Yahoo News’s “Skullduggery” podcast, in which she lamented that many Palestinians lost their land and "human dignity" when Israel was created following World War II.

 

She went on to say that she also gets "a calming feeling" knowing that the geopolitical shake-up also sheltered Jews who suffered "horrific persecution," both in the Holocaust and throughout history.

 

"There’s always kind of a calming feeling, I tell folks, when I think of the Holocaust, and the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the fact that it was my ancestors — Palestinians — who lost their land and some lost their lives, their livelihood, their human dignity, their existence in many ways, have been wiped out, and some people’s passports," she said in the interview, which aired Saturday. 

 

"And just all of it was in the name of trying to create a safe haven for Jews, post-the Holocaust, post-the tragedy and the horrific persecution of Jews across the world at that time," she continued. "And I love the fact that it was my ancestors that provided that, right, in many ways. But they did it in a way that took their human dignity away, and it was forced on them."

 

Republicans wasted little time attacking Tlaib for comments they characterized as anti-Semitic.

 

Rep. Liz CheneyElizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyOvernight Energy & Environment — Effort to repeal Arctic refuge drilling advances McCarthy-allied fundraising group helps Republicans who voted to impeach Trump Democrats must stop using Jan. 6 committee to advance its witch hunt  MORE (R-Wyo.) called the remarks "sickening," urging Democratic leaders to condemn the Michigan freshman. Rep. Steve ScaliseStephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseGOP seeks Biden referendum over vaccine mandates Louisiana delegation asks for additional relief funding after Ida FEMA has funds to cover disasters — for now MORE (La.), the Republican whip, blasted Tlaib for "twisted and disgusting comments." And Trump piled on Monday morning, accusing Tlaib of harboring "tremendous hatred" toward Israel.

 

"Democrat Rep. Tlaib is being slammed for her horrible and highly insensitive statement on the Holocaust," he tweeted. "She obviously has tremendous hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. Can you imagine what would happen if I ever said what she said, and says?"

 

Tlaib has fought back, accusing the Republicans of skewing her words for political gain.

 

"Policing my words, twisting & turning them to ignite vile attacks on me will not work," she said. "All of you who are trying to silence me will fail miserably. I will never allow you to take my words out of context to push your racist and hateful agenda. The truth will always win."

 

Aside from Hoyer, a number of Tlaib's fellow Democrats are also rushing to her defense. The list includes Reps. Mark PocanMark William PocanBiden seeks to build Democratic support among unions Overnight Energy & Environment — Presented by the American Petroleum Institute — A warning shot on Biden's .5T plan Overnight Defense & National Security — America's longest war ends MORE (D-Wis.), Earl BlumenauerEarl BlumenauerAmerican workers need us to get this pandemic under control around the world Democrats on key panel offer bill on solar tax incentive Nearly 200 House Democrats call for focus on clean energy tax credits in reconciliation MORE (D-Ore.) and Ilhan OmarIlhan OmarEnough with the GDP — it's time to measure genuine progress Overnight Energy & Environment — Presented by the American Petroleum Institute — Democrats eye potential carbon price in reconciliation bill 'Squad' members call on Biden to shut down Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota MORE (D-Minn.), another Muslim freshman who was embroiled in her own controversy surrounding comments deemed anti-Semitic earlier in the year.  

 

"This is another transparent attempt to sow division b/t minority communities and distract from your own criminal behavior by smearing a Muslim woman," Omar tweeted Monday, responding to Trump's criticism of Tlaib.

 

"No one should fall for it this time."