It remains unclear what exactly President Donald Trump’s daughter and adviser Ivanka is actually doing in the White House other than serving as a symbol of the First Family’s commitment to nepotism. She’s yet to make any kind of recognizably lasting positive impact, although her name has been attached to a few projects. This Sunday morning, as the U.S. continued to grapple with days of increasingly intense protests over rampant police brutality, Ivanka rushed to Twitter to post a random Bible verse. She could have spoken about potential administration plans to deal with the demonstrators’ concerns, but instead, she opted to glibly cast off responsibility for the situation onto a grand heavenly inevitability, or something.
I’ve covered protests for 15 years across the US. This is the first time I’ve ever seen police actively and intentionally target the press with rubber bullets, tear gas, and arrests. Scenes reminiscent of China, Iran. We remain determined to show the country what’s happening here
— Michael George (@MikeGeorgeCBS) May 31, 2020
She posted:
‘“This is what the Lord said: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you.” 2 Kings 20:5’
“This is what the Lord said: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you.” 2 Kings 20:5
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) May 31, 2020
That sounds great, except for the fact that “the Lord” is not the president of the United States or one of their top advisers. What about the actual president’s response to the crisis? What about Ivanka’s? There’s a time of national turmoil that’s erupted amidst rage over repeated police murders of unarmed black men across the United States, and, as best as can be told at this point, Ivanka is not in on any sort of policy deliberations covering the way forward. Where is the White House’s policy response? Where is their leadership?
Our job is to demilitarize police departments so they do not look like and act like oppressing armies. https://t.co/8GQAxPzc9y
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) May 31, 2020
Early Sunday, CNN reporter Oliver Darcy asked the pointed question:
‘Last night, America saw nationwide protests & violence/looting break out in major cities. People went to bed watching cities on fire. And yet, Trump has still not offered a meaningful response. He didn’t last night & he hasn’t said anything this morning. Where’s the leadership?’
Last night, America saw nationwide protests & violence/looting break out in major cities. People went to bed watching cities on fire. And yet, Trump has still not offered a meaningful response. He didn't last night & he hasn't said anything this morning. Where's the leadership?
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) May 31, 2020
Check out Twitter’s response to Ivanka below:
This is what your father said: "When the looting starts, the shooting starts" https://t.co/m4us9rLmLg
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) May 31, 2020
I worked for a president who was—and remains–more sincerely religious than (perhaps) any other incumbent, and certainly any of the past 150 years.
He would have used scripture as a premise for secular policy and leadership—the duties of a president. Not as a lame palliative. https://t.co/p4Ec7955TB
— James Fallows (@JamesFallows) May 31, 2020
Who does Ivanka think she's kidding https://t.co/fQuoNsfXgL
— Mark Follman (@markfollman) May 31, 2020
"Doom to those who pronounce wicked decrees, and keep writing harmful laws" Isaiah 10:1 https://t.co/KzK82S3lNT
— Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons (@GuthrieGF) May 31, 2020
Maybe you should focus on convincing your idiot dad not to incite further violence. https://t.co/dWWhQOB3YY
— Extremely Socially Distant Tom Tomorrow (@tomtomorrow) May 31, 2020
"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?… upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth." Matthew 23:33-36 https://t.co/Pk3mLNKbLy
— Adam Weinstein (@AdamWeinstein) May 31, 2020
Thoughts and prayers for America's burning cities.
What a joke https://t.co/xjizRxwOEJ
— Scott Greer (@ScottMGreer) May 31, 2020
This is what your father said: Is it MAGA night at the WH?
Have a seat, Barbie, and think about how unmoored you are from humanity. https://t.co/B8ErhBImnR
— Navy Mom 🆘 Ignore Trump. Your life depends on it. (@USNavyMomPA) May 31, 2020
"You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions." Mark 10:21-22 https://t.co/jHOCY3uqDv
— Gail Vaz-Oxlade (@GailVazOxlade) May 31, 2020