Maryland lawmakers on Friday sharply criticized President Trump
Donald TrumpSouth Carolina Senate adds firing squad as alternative execution method Ex-Trump aide Pierson won't run for Dallas-area House seat House Oversight panel reissues subpoena for Trump's accounting firm MORE for talking about getting rid of journalists on the anniversary of a shooting at the Capital Gazette's newsroom in Annapolis that killed five people.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen
Christopher (Chris) Van HollenMenendez reintroduces corporate diversity bill LIVE COVERAGE: Senate set to consider Garland for AG Plaskett quips male lawmakers 'would not have their wives in one attempt talking to her' during impeachment trial MORE (D), Sen. Ben Cardin
Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats reintroduce road map to carbon neutrality by 2050 | Kerry presses oil companies to tackle climate change | Biden delays transfer of sacred lands for copper mine Biden tells Senate Democrats to stick together, quickly pass coronavirus relief Liberals howl after Democrats cave on witnesses MORE (D) and Rep. David Trone
David John TroneChamber-endorsed Dems struggle on election night Bill to expand support for community addiction treatment passes House US Chamber of Commerce set to endorse 23 House freshman Democrats MORE (D) each chastised Trump's remarks about reporters while speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinWray hints at federal response to SolarWinds hack Kremlin: Musk invitation to Putin to chat on Clubhouse 'some kind of misunderstanding' Biden to sanction Russia over Navalny poisoning, jailing MORE at the Group of 20 summit in Japan.
Trump reportedly said, “Get rid of them," as members of the press were ushered out of the room.
"Fake news is a great term, isn’t it? You don’t have this problem in Russia, but we do,” Trump said, according to Bloomberg's Jennifer Jacobs, who is traveling with the president.
"We also have. It’s the same," Putin responded. The two leaders then chuckled about their comments, Jacobs reported.
Van Hollen called Trump's remarks "despicable."
"Mr. President, Maryland is mourning the loss of five journalists who were murdered at the Capital Gazette shooting one year ago today," he tweeted. "Instead of taking action to combat the gun violence epidemic in America, you’re joking with Putin about getting rid of journalists? Despicable."
Mr. President, Maryland is mourning the loss of five journalists who were murdered at the Capital Gazette shooting one year ago today. Instead of taking action to combat the gun violence epidemic in America, you’re joking with Putin about getting rid of journalists? Despicable. https://t.co/5cCKSrkjEv
— Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) June 28, 2019
Trone called the president's remark "a disgrace."
"This is a disgrace. A year ago we lost five people in the Capital Gazette shooting in Annapolis," Trone tweeted.
This is a disgrace. A year ago we lost five people in the Capital Gazette shooting in Annapolis.
— Rep. David Trone (@RepDavidTrone) June 28, 2019
Today should be about commemorating the lives we've lost and fighting for a future with no gun violence. We must do better. https://t.co/jWQJWPKoL7
Cardin said that while such remarks by the president would be "unacceptable" any time, they were particularly offensive on the shooting anniversary.
"On the one-year anniversary of the deadliest newsroom shooting in American history, this is totally unacceptable," he tweeted. "It would be on any day, but today it is especially reprehensible."
On the one-year anniversary of the deadliest newsroom shooting in American history, this is totally unacceptable. It would be on any day, but today it is especially reprehensible. @CapGazette https://t.co/Ad9sztj8W4
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) June 28, 2019
