Ayanna Pressley speaks to reporters after voting at the Adams Street Library on Election Day in Boston, Massachusetts, November 6, 2018. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Amid a weekend spat between President Donald Trump, several progressive members of congress, and more centrist members of Democratic senior leadership, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley responded to a controversial tweet by President Trump.
"THIS is what racism looks like," Pressley wrote Sunday, along with a screenshot of the president's words. "WE are what democracy looks like. And we’re not going anywhere. Except back to DC to fight for the families you marginalize and vilify everyday."
Many Democrats, including freshman congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar, have called out what they say is racism-in-plain-sight. The Trump tweet in question suggests that if progressive congresswomen are critical of the Trump administration they should "go back" to the "crime infested places from which they came."
Of the apparent intended targets, only Ilhan Omar was born outside of the United States.
"So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run," the President wrote. "Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came."
"These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough," Trump continued, before attempting to further the reported divide between progressives and leadership in the Democratic Party. "I’m sure that Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!"
Trump continued his attacks on Omar, Tlaib, Ocasio-Cortez, and Pressley Monday morning.
In response, Pressley's office said in a statement that they would not be cowed.
“Amid this Administration's ongoing efforts to criminalize, dehumanize, and tear apart immigrant families, Trump's racist and bigoted lies are disgusting and unsurprising," the statement read. "His cruel efforts to rile up his base have serious consequences on our collective safety and well-being. We will not be dismissed and we will not be bullied by a Twitter thug. I will continue working every day in Congress to stand up to this Administration and make heard the voices of people in the Massachusetts' 7th.”
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