Dems rail against Trump after global warming tweet

Democrats in both houses of Congress piled on President Trump on Thursday night after he suggested the northeastern U.S. could use some “global warming” to help recover from cold temperatures.

In his tweet earlier Thursday evening, Trump also incorrectly asserted that the U.S. would be the only country to contribute money to a climate fund under the Paris agreement, which Trump pledged to exit in June.

In the East, it could be the COLDEST New Year’s Eve on record. Perhaps we could use a little bit of that good old Global Warming that our Country, but not other countries, was going to pay TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS to protect against. Bundle up!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2017

The tweet sparked rebuke from several Democratic lawmakers, including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who tweeted that the U.S. has a “moral obligation” to combat climate change.

I’m going to say something really crazy: I believe in science. Climate change is real and we have a moral obligation to protect this Earth for our children and grandchildren.

— Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) December 29, 2017

Warren was joined by fellow Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Harris tweeted that local governments must confront climate issues while the administration won’t, while Whitehouse implored the president to read a report on climate change produced by his own administration.

Climate change is real and it poses a grave threat to our nation and our planet. It’s abundantly clear this Adminstration won’t tackle climate change head on, so state and local governments must. https://t.co/mrH5zlpyJD

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 29, 2017

This is just embarrassing. It’s clear facts don’t matter to you, but here’s the new climate report from your administration that affirms climate change is caused by human activity, and has serious health, economic, and environmental consequences. Read it. https://t.co/eJo1bdsqd8

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) December 29, 2017

The tweet also drew jabs from several Democrats, including Reps. Ted Lieu (Calif.) and Kathleen Rice (N.Y.) and Pramila Jayapal (Wash.). Rice was the sharpest with her criticism, accusing the president of tweeting “like a child.”

Instead of tweeting like a child who hates science class, if you’re so worried about the cold you could always send your 45M+ followers info about how to find shelter, prevent hypothermia & frost bite, prevent pipes from freezing, protect their pets, etc. https://t.co/HXBotuGZ5f

— Kathleen Rice (@RepKathleenRice) December 29, 2017

In 2017, there were about three record high temperatures in the U.S. for every record low temperature. Weather is not the same as climate. The president should be able to understand that. It isn’t hard. https://t.co/piwHcvZWbH https://t.co/7EFkR5SmUN

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) December 29, 2017

Either @realDonaldTrump doesn’t understand the science behind climate change, or he is intentionally misleading the American people. Also, Merry Christmas (even though today is Dec 28) because the President says we can say that again (even though we have always been saying it). https://t.co/8KwaxdbvzB

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) December 29, 2017

Virginia Rep. Don Beyer (D), meanwhile, pointed out that Trump erroneously referred to the amount the U.S. would pay under the Paris agreement as “trillions” of dollars, accusing Trump of not understanding the deal he has often criticized. Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan (D) coined a nickname for Trump over the affair, “Denying Donald.”

1: This isn’t how climate change works.

2: We weren’t paying trillions of dollars. You didn’t understand the Paris Agreement in June and you still don’t.

3: Climate Change is real. It is a serious threat to our children. You need people on your team who can explain this to you. https://t.co/SQG9cMGOGe

— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) December 29, 2017

Denying Donald doesn’t understand science. His ignorance is our loss. https://t.co/aO0dOZfp3h

— Mark Pocan (@MarkPocan) December 29, 2017

The tweet also drew criticism from former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), who praised local efforts in Broward County, Florida, to protect the state from the effects of climate change.

While Trump struggles to understand the difference between temperature and climate, we must take action in our own communities. We can’t afford to wait. Thank you Broward County #Mayors4CleanEnergy https://t.co/pkJVCWekyh

— D Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) December 29, 2017