Maryland lawmakers on Friday sharply criticized President Trump
Donald John TrumpButtigieg surges ahead of Iowa caucuses Biden leads among Latino Democrats in Texas, California Kavanaugh hailed by conservative gathering in first public speech since confirmation 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 HollenOvernight Defense: Erdoğan gets earful from GOP senators | Amazon to challenge Pentagon cloud contract decision in court | Lawmakers under pressure to pass benefits fix for military families Senate Foreign Relations chair: 'Best' not to pass Turkey sanctions bill 'at this moment' On The Money: Retirement savings bill blocked in Senate after fight over amendments | Stopgap bill may set up December spending fight | Hardwood industry pleads for relief from Trump trade war MORE (D), Sen. Ben Cardin
Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinOvernight Health Care: Democratic gains mark setback for Trump on Medicaid work requirements | Senate Dems give Warren 'Medicare for All' plan the cold shoulder | Judge strikes Trump rule on health care 'conscience' rights Democrats give Warren's 'Medicare for All' plan the cold shoulder Former NAACP president to run for Cummings's House seat MORE (D) and Rep. David Trone
David John TroneOvernight Health Care — Presented by National Taxpayers Union — Buttigieg targets Warren, Sanders on health care ahead of debate | Judge overturns ObamaCare transgender protections | Poll sees support drop for 'Medicare for All' Maryland lawmakers slam 'despicable' Trump remark about journalists on newsroom shooting anniversary WHIP LIST: The 228 House Democrats backing an impeachment inquiry MORE (D) each chastised Trump's remarks about reporters while speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinThe analysts are wrong: Putin's aggression exposes Russia's decline Pelosi: Trump bribed Ukraine, makes Nixon's offenses 'look almost small' Scarborough: Trump is either 'an agent of Russia' or 'a useful idiot' 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
