Menendez tours Puerto Rico hurricane destruction

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) hit President Trump’s response to Puerto Rico on Saturday after he surveyed the hurricane-ravaged island this week during a break from his corruption trial.

“Mr. President, I just saw this in PR. Attacking Mayor @CarmenYulinCruz isn’t doing a damn thing to clean it up & begin recovery. Grow up!” the senator tweeted, responding to Trump’s recent attacks on San Juan’s mayor. 

Mr. President, I just saw this in PR. Attacking Mayor @CarmenYulinCruz isn’t doing a damn thing to clean it up & begin recovery. Grow up! pic.twitter.com/VKXjOyvd1C

— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) September 30, 2017

“I know Puerto Rico doesn’t get Electoral College votes, Mr. President, but there are real Americans there suffering. Time to do more!” Menendez said in another tweet.  

I know Puerto Rico doesn’t get Electoral College votes, Mr. President, but there are real Americans there suffering. Time to do more!

— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) September 30, 2017 

9 days after Hurricane struck and POTUS still hasn’t declared 100% of PR a disaster! Well guess what, 100% is in chaos and needs help now pic.twitter.com/KEqKvzTnnl

— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) September 29, 2017

The Trump administration is facing scrutiny for its slow response to the island’s humanitarian crisis. 

Residents have not received basic necessities such as food, water and medicine. 

Other politicians have visited Puerto Rico, including Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.).

Trump and Vice President Pence are slated to visit the island next week. {mosads}

Menedez’s visit comes as he is on trial for accepting lavish gifts, campaign donations and vacations from his co-defendant Salomon Melgen, in return for using his influence to personally and financially benefit Melgen. 

His tweets came just hours after Trump ripped  San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz on Twitter, saying she has shown poor leadership as Puerto Rico struggles to recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Maria.