“Why are we having all these people from s***hole countries come here?” the president is quoted as saying after being introduced with a plan that proposed accepting immigrants from Haiti, Africa, and El Salvador. His supposed words upended the news cycle Thursday night.
Rep. Mia Love (R-UT), the only Haitian-American member of Congress, is one of few Republicans to speak out against the president's supposed words. She was understandably affected and offended by the report and released the following statement, sharing her parents' story.
Here is my statement on the President’s comments today: pic.twitter.com/EdtsFjc2zL
— Rep. Mia Love (@RepMiaLove) January 11, 2018
Trump didn't apologize, because he says he never used that derogatory language and that the Democrats were putting words in his mouth.
The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made - a big setback for DACA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said “take them out.” Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings - unfortunately, no trust!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
Still, Rep. Tim Scott (R-SC), the only black Republican senator in Congress, shared Love's sentiments.
Sen. Tim Scott, lone GOP African-American senator: “If these comments are the President’s words they are disappointing to say the least.... Our strength lies in our diversity, including those who came here from Africa, the Caribbean and every other corner of the world.”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 12, 2018
Republican CNN commentator Tara Setmayer commended Scott and Love for their pitch perfect comments, but she thought it was shameful that it seemed only the black Republican members were speaking out against Trump's remarks.
"They need to grow a pair," Setmayer said of her party.
Other Republicans have spoken out, however, including Florida Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Carlos Curbelo.