The Anti-Defamation League called out President Trump for “throwing around accusations of anti-Semitism” after Democrats and some Republicans criticized the president for tweets telling Democratic congresswomen to “go back” to the “totally broken and crime infested” places they came from.
Trump did not mention any names in the original tweet, but he has since tweeted and spoken about Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.). Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) is also part of the progressive group’s “squad.”
“The ADL today condemned President Trump’s racist tweets about four U.S. congresswomen,” the organization said in a press release Monday.
{mosads} The ADL also blasted the president for doubling down on his comments after facing facing criticism Sunday. In another tweet, Trump denied that the tweets were racist and said, “So sad to see the Democrats sticking up for people who speak so badly of our Country and who, in addition, hate Israel with a true and unbridled passion.”
The president also said Omar is “never happy,” while he was answering questions from reporters at the White House Monday and accused her of hating Israel and Jews.
“When I hear the statements that they’ve made, and in one case for somebody that comes from Somalia… and now is a congresswoman who’s never happy, says horrible things about Israel, hate Israel, hates Jews,” Trump said. “It’s very simple.”
Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director, said in the press release that Jews are “all too familiar with this kind of divisive prejudice.”
“While ADL has publicly disagreed with these congresswomen on some issues, the president is echoing the racist talking points of white nationalists and cynically using the Jewish people and the state of Israel as a shield to double down on his remarks,” he said.
“Politicizing the widespread, bipartisan support for Israel and throwing around accusations of anti-Semitism is damaging to the security of Israel and the Jewish community. He should lead by example, stop politicizing these issues and stop smearing members of Congress,” he continued,” Greenblatt continued.
The ADL has previously called on lawmakers to condemn Omar’s comments about the U.S. and Israel’s relationship and the pro-Israel lobby.