There were six Congressmen responsible for the proposed legislation on the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) deal presented to President Trump on Thursday. After Trump made racist comments about wanting more immigrants from white countries like Norway and not “sh*thole” countries like those in Africa, only one is reported to have called Trump out on those comments.
So for those keeping track of those who were in Trump mtg:
Durbin: Trump said "shithole" countries
Graham: publicly silent, but confirmed comments to Tim Scott
McCarthy: Silent
Goodlatte: Silent
Diaz-Balart: Skirts comments in stmt
Cotton: Does not recall
Perdue: Does not recall— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 12, 2018
Rep. Lindsey Graham has not confirmed that the president made those comments, although Sen. Dick Durbin recounted the incident on Friday morning, calling Trump’s words “vile” and “racist.”
‘The most disheartening thing to me is my belief that that was the first time words that hateful had been spoken in the Oval Office of the White House. I think back at presidents throughout history and I cannot imagine a moment where a president sunk to that depth. That’s what breaks my heart.’
Durbin also said that Rep. Graham “spoke up and made a direct comment on what the president said…I was very proud of him.”
Graham finally issued a statement on Friday. While he did not confirm nor deny that the comments were made, he did confirm that he spoke up in response to the president’s comments during that meeting.
‘Following comments by the President, I said my piece directly to him yesterday. The President and all those attending the meeting know what I said and how I feel … I appreciate Senator Durbin’s statements.’
Graham tweeted his full statement, which can be read below:
My statement on #DACA. pic.twitter.com/kpJ2NHEoGL
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 12, 2018
The White House also refused to deny the comments by the president after they were reported, although they did defend Trump. The president contradicted the official statement about the comments, however, by directly denying that he used those offensive words.
Featured image via Getty/Win McNamee
