DPCC Co-Chair Jeffries: The President is on The Wrong Side of History
“A real President does not provide aid and comfort to neo-Nazis or lift up this fraudulent ideology of white supremacy”
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy & Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on CNN to discuss President Trump's response to the deadly violence that erupted at the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville. Below are excerpts from the interview. Click here to watch the video
"What Donald Trump did was rip the sheets off and show the American people who he is and what he represents. It's shocking for a lot of people but for those of us who grew up in New York, who followed Donald Trump, we understand who he is as an individual. He has always used racial stereotypes to benefit himself professionally, politically, and personally. Now he's taken his despicable act to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It's time for him to stop acting like a two-bit racial hustler and start acting like the President of the United States of America – who does not play political footsie with David Duke. A real President does not provide aid and comfort to neo-Nazis or lift up this fraudulent ideology of white supremacy that Donald Trump seems to have a real problem distancing himself from."
"Everyone has to make their own decisions but I think it's time for my colleagues, Republican colleagues in the House and Senate to put country ahead of party. This is not an issue of Republicans versus Democrats. This is an issue of right versus wrong. The President is on the wrong side of history. Some [Republicans] seem to be afraid of the backlash that they may get from a substantial part of the Republican base that seems to still be willing to stand behind this President."
"But there are times that you've got to put the country ahead of your own political aspirations or even your political well-being. At this particular moment, my Republican colleagues have to step forth and do that. Because this is a President who is eroding the credibility of the White House, eroding the credibility of the United States of America. In times like this, he should be bringing us together. Instead, he's tearing us apart."
"What we have to do as Democrats and Republicans, [we] have to figure out to how to govern together in Congress. The Constitution gives us an ability to pass legislation without the President's signature – to override him if necessary. It seems to me that we may be at that moment. Presidential nullification, so to speak. If [Trump] decides to become reasonable all of a sudden, then maybe we can work with him, but there's nothing in his 71-year history that suggests he's going to be reasonable or responsible at the moment."