Who is the 'squad' that Trump targeted in racist tweets?
‘Mr President, the country I ‘come from’, and the country we all swear to, is the United States’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.They’re all women of colour. Every one of them is an American citizen.
And of the four members of the self-styled “squad” duly elected to the House of Representatives, only one was born outside the US.
In racist tweets over the weekend, Donald Trump almost certainly was referring to this group of liberal House freshmen whose elections in 2018 helped return the chamber to Democratic control.
Among Mr Trump’s tweets: “Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.”
Mr Trump defended the tweets on Monday and suggested the Democrats leave the country if they have complaints.
Condemnation poured in from Democrats and — slowly — a selection of Republicans.
Here’s a look at the lawmakers Mr Trump referenced:
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
The Bronx-born former bartender is the charismatic star of the class of 2018, winning her seat in a primary and turning her massive social media following into a measure of power on Capitol Hill.
Ms Ocasio-Cortez, a self-described democratic socialist, has clashed with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over the influence of newcomers. She’s also been conspicuously courted by some of the party’s many presidential candidates, including Elizabeth Warren of and Bernie Sanders.
To Mr Trump, she tweeted:
“Mr President, the country I ‘come from’, & the country we all swear to, is the United States.”
Ilhan Omar of Minnesota
Ms Omar was a child when her family fled civil war in Somalia, an African nation of about 12 million, after it was shattered by a civil war in 1991.
She spent years in a refugee camp in Kenya and immigrated to the United States as a refugee in 1995. Ms Omar became eligible for citizenship five years after the family entered.
Ms Omar became a US citizen in 2000.
In the House, she has repeatedly run up against more senior Democrats over her remarks about Israel and what she said was the need to question the Jewish state’s influence in Washington.
To Mr Trump, she tweeted:
“The only country we swear an oath to is the United States. Which is why we are fighting to protect it from the worst, most corrupt and inept president we have ever seen.”
Rashida Tlaib of Michigan
The Detroit native is the first Palestinian American elected to the House. She and Ms Omar are the first Muslim American women to serve in the chamber.
And like Ms Omar, Ms Tlaib made a name for herself almost immediately after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gavelled the new session of Congress into session in January.
That night, Ms Tlaib was filmed talking to a liberal group — saying of Mr Trump: “We’re gonna impeach the motherf***r.”
No such effort is underway even now, in large part because Ms Pelosi and other Democrats don’t see bipartisan public sentiment for doing so.
To Mr Trump, Ms Tlaib tweeted:
“Keep talking, you just make me work harder. I’m proud of my Palestinian roots & a WEAK bully like you never wins.”
Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts
A Cincinnati native raised in Chicago, Ms Pressley worked for Joseph Kennedy and worked for John Kerry for 13 years while he served in the Senate.
In 2009, she ran for an at-large seat on Boston City Council and became the first woman of colour elected to the body in its 100-year history.
Of Mr Trump’s tweets, she responded:
“THIS is what racism looks like. 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.”
Associated Press
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments