Alcee Hastings, Frederica Wilson, Arthenia Joyner lead Florida leaders’ attack on Trump’s birther remarks
Following Donald Trump’s “birther” comments on President Barack Obama, Floridians across the Sunshine State blasted Trump’s history of spreading racist conspiracy theories.
“One short statement coupled with lies and no apology won’t do anything to reverse the five years Donald Trump spent pushing his racist birther agenda. At this point in the campaign, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Donald Trump has refused to take any responsibility for his bigoted and divisive attacks. Our community has come too far and fought for too long to let Donald Trump get anywhere near the White House, and reverse all the progress that we have made,” said Congressman Alcee L. Hastings.
photo/ Lisette Brodey via pixabay
“Yesterday’s attempt by Donald Trump to hide his five-year long obsession with questioning the legitimacy of the President of the United States was shameful. He showed no regret or remorse. Instead, he tried to spread even more lies. We’re still waiting on an apology,” said Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.
“We cannot give Trump a pass on his birther comments. He disrespected our first African American president, and had the audacity to spread lies about him. His racist and bigoted language will not divide our country. After 27 years in law enforcement, I have seen the best that America has to offer. I have also seen the worst in America, and Trump is not the best America has to offer. We are going to hold him accountable,” said Congressional Candidate Val Demings.
“For five years, Donald Trump has lied to the American people and perpetrated a racist conspiracy theory. What you didn’t hear from Donald Trump was regret or accountability for spending years peddling a bigoted attack in an effort to delegitimize our country’s first black president. This is no surprise, considering he has demonstrated a pattern of disrespect for the African American community, from previously being sued by the Department of Justice for housing discrimination to blaming crime in major cities on African Americans and Hispanics. The only thing Trump proved yesterday is that he is wrong for America,” said State Senator Arthenia Joyner.
“Donald Trump questioned President Obama’s citizenship and religion and instead of apologizing for years of bigoted antics, he falsely blamed others. Instead of showing remorse, he took undue credit. This appalling spectacle is yet another reminder that we must do everything possible to ensure Donald Trump is defeated in November,” said State Representative-Elect Ramon Alexander.
“Donald Trump’s divisive rhetoric and exhaustive antics were, again, put on display. In their infancy, Trump’s birther attacks against President Obama were deplorable and his statement yesterday – just as disgraceful. A man who was sued by the Justice Department for discriminatory rental practices and still refuses to apologize for questioning the president’s citizenship will never be a voice for our community,” said Jacksonville City Councilman Garrett Dennis.
President Barack Obama makes a point during a meeting with senior staff in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, May 18, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
