GOP put on the back foot by Trump's race storm | TheHill - The Hill

President TrumpDonald John Trump CNN's Camerota clashes with Trump's immigration head over president's tweet LA Times editorial board labels Trump 'Bigot-in-Chief' Trump complains of 'fake polls' after surveys show him trailing multiple Democratic candidates MORE’s attacks on four minority Democratic lawmakers have created a rift in the GOP, putting many Republicans on the defensive.

Most are seeking to steer clear of the firestorm, but a few GOP lawmakers came out against Trump’s suggestion that the four women of color “go back” to their home countries, even though all are U.S. citizens.

One of the strongest denunciations came from Rep. Will HurdWilliam Ballard Hurd Overnight Defense: Woman accusing general of sexual assault willing to testify | Joint Chiefs pick warns against early Afghan withdrawal | Tensions rise after Iran tries to block British tanker House approves amendment to reverse transgender military ban Finally, GOP lawmakers prove conservation and conservatism go hand-in-hand MORE (Texas), the only African American House Republican, whose district has a large number of Hispanic residents. He blasted Trump’s tweets as “racist” and “xenophobic” in a CNN interview.

He called the president’s remarks “unbecoming of the leader of the free world.”

Sen. Tim ScottTimothy (Tim) Eugene Scott Republican lawmakers on why they haven't read Mueller report: 'Tedious' and 'what's the point?' Tim Scott leading effort to recruit minority conservative candidates Senate Democrats wish talk on reparations would go away MORE (S.C.), the lone African American Republican in the Senate, characterized Trump’s language as “unacceptable” and “racially offensive.”

The president’s comments also drew rebukes from GOP lawmakers facing tough reelection campaigns.

Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret Collins Republicans make U-turn on health care Children urge Congress to renew funds for diabetes research Justice Democrats issues 3 new endorsements for progressive candidates MORE (R-Maine), who is seeking another term in a state that voted for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham Clinton Trump complains of 'fake polls' after surveys show him trailing multiple Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton responds to Trump tweets telling Dem lawmakers to 'go back' to their countries The Young Turks' Cenk Uygur: Here's how to choose a president MORE in 2016, urged Trump to delete his tweets attacking the Democratic lawmakers and implying they’re not real Americans.

“I disagree strongly with many of the views and comments of some of the far-left members of the House Democratic Caucus … but the President’s tweet that some Members of Congress should go back to the ‘places from which they came’ was way over the line, and he should take that down,” Collins said in a statement.

Sen. Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph Toomey NSA improperly collected US phone records in October, new documents show Overnight Defense: Pick for South Korean envoy splits with Trump on nuclear threat | McCain blasts move to suspend Korean military exercises | White House defends Trump salute of North Korean general WH backpedals on Trump's 'due process' remark on guns MORE (R-Pa.) said Trump was “wrong” to say the four Democrats — Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez George Conway calls Trump a 'racist president' in new op-ed House Democrats introduce resolution condemning Trump for 'racist' comments Trump's family separation policy has taken US to 'lowest depth possible,' says former immigration lawyer MORE (N.Y.), Ilhan OmarIlhan Omar LA Times editorial board labels Trump 'Bigot-in-Chief' NYT's Friedman repeatedly says 's---hole' in tirade against Trump on CNN Foreign-born lawmaker: Trump's not going to tell me to 'go back to my country' MORE (Minn.), Rashida TlaibRashida Harbi Tlaib Kasich calls on Republicans to condemn 'deplorable' Trump tweets LA Times editorial board labels Trump 'Bigot-in-Chief' NYT's Friedman repeatedly says 's---hole' in tirade against Trump on CNN MORE (Mich.) and Ayanna PressleyAyanna Pressley Kasich calls on Republicans to condemn 'deplorable' Trump tweets LA Times editorial board labels Trump 'Bigot-in-Chief' NYT's Friedman repeatedly says 's---hole' in tirade against Trump on CNN MORE (Mass.) — go back to the countries where they are from.

“Three of the four were born in America and the citizenship of all four is as valid as mine,” Toomey said.

But other GOP lawmakers were more timid in their efforts to steer Trump away from stoking racial resentment.

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin Graham Trump shares Graham quote calling Ocasio-Cortez 'anti-America' Graham: Trump should focus on policy, not personal attacks The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by JUUL Labs - Trump attack on progressive Dems draws sharp rebuke MORE (R-S.C.), one of Trump’s staunchest allies on Capitol Hill, spent Sunday golfing with the president. He urged Trump to focus on the policies of his political opponents instead of engaging in personal attacks.

“We don’t need to know anything about them personally. Talk about their policies,” he said on “Fox & Friends.”

Asked if Trump went too far, Graham responded: “They are American citizens. They won an election. Take on their policies. The bottom line here is this is a diverse country.”

But Trump appeared not to take such pushback as much of a rebuke. In a Rose Garden ceremony Monday afternoon, he argued that Graham was in some ways harsher on the minority Democratic lawmakers criticized by the president because Graham called them “a bunch of communists.”

For many Republicans, Trump’s heated rhetoric on Twitter has become akin to a recurring weekend migraine that causes lawmakers pain early in the week but then soon dissipates.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell What Democrats should say about guns This week: House Dems voting to hold Barr, Ross in contempt Juan Williams: GOP in a panic over Mueller MORE (R-Ky.) on Monday declined to comment on Trump’s language, telling reporters he would be happy to take their questions on Tuesday, when he usually holds a weekly press conference.

Sen. John CornynJohn Cornyn GOP struggles to find backup plan for avoiding debt default Trump nominees meet fiercest opposition from Warren, Sanders, Gillibrand On The Money: Mnuchin warns US could hit debt limit in early September | Acosta out as Labor chief | Trump pitches trade deal in Wisconsin | FTC reportedly settles with Facebook for B fine MORE (R-Texas), an adviser to McConnell, said, “What the president said was a mistake, and it was an unforced error.”

While GOP lawmakers were careful to say they didn’t approve of Trump’s behavior or language, most stopped short of condemning it as racist — doing so would open them up to criticism from Trump’s loyal base.

Democrats have been quick to accuse them of silently condoning the president’s conduct.

Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis Schumer NYT: Don't make Acosta a political martyr Charities say they never received donations touted by Jeffrey Epstein: report Schumer to donate Epstein campaign contributions to groups fighting sexual violence MORE (D-N.Y.) on the Senate floor said Trump’s comments “drip with racism” and asked whether GOP lawmakers were staying quiet about “xenophobic” comments “out of embarrassment or agreement.”

“Many of my Republican colleagues let these moments sail by without saying even a word. The Republican leadership especially rarely criticizes the president directly, even in a situation like this that so clearly merits it,” he said.

Schumer warned that if Republicans are overlooking racist behavior to advance their agenda of tax cuts and deregulation, they’re “making a deal with the devil.”

Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairman Roy BluntRoy Dean Blunt GOP balks at White House push for standalone vote on debt ceiling Republicans say they're satisfied with 2020 election security after classified briefings GOP senators decline to criticize Acosta after new Epstein charges MORE (Mo.), a member of the elected Senate GOP leadership, took a similar tack to Graham’s.

“Just because the so-called squad constantly insults and attacks the president isn’t a reason to adopt their unacceptable tactics,” he said of the four Democratic lawmakers.

“There is plenty to say about how destructive House Democrats’ policies would be for our economy, our health care system and our security. I think that’s where the focus should be,” Blunt said.

Sen. Joni ErnstJoni Kay Ernst Acosta on shaky ground as GOP support wavers The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden looks to rebound after tough week Democratic Senate hopes hinge on Trump tide MORE (Iowa), another member of the GOP leadership team, said Trump’s tweets are “not constructive” and “not helpful.”

Like Graham, she said Trump should focus on policies.

“I personally think the GOP has a stronger platform to talk about. That’s what we should be focusing on,” said Ernst, who is up for reelection next year.

Pressed by reporters on whether she thought Trump’s comments were racist, Ernst said, “Yeah, I do.”

Rep. Andy HarrisAndrew (Andy) Peter Harris The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump creates new firestorm with 'go back' remarks CNN seeks Republicans to criticize Trump's 'racist comments' Kasich calls on Republicans to condemn 'deplorable' Trump tweets MORE (R-Md.) accused Democrats of using any excuse to play the race card against Trump.

“No, they’re not, they’re obviously not racist,” Harris told WBAL’s Bryan Nehman when asked about Trump’s Sunday tweets. “But again, when anyone disagrees with someone now the default is to call them racist, and this is no exception.”

One major question for McConnell and Republican leaders is whether they will put a resolution disapproving of Trump’s language on the Senate floor.

Pelosi announced in a letter to colleagues Monday that the House plans to vote on such a resolution soon and send it to the Senate.

“The House cannot allow the President’s characterization of immigrants to our country to stand. Our Republican colleagues must join us in condemning the President’s xenophobic tweets,” she wrote.

Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt Romney The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by JUUL Labs - Trump attack on progressive Dems draws sharp rebuke Republicans make U-turn on health care House Republicans dismissive of Paul Ryan's take on Trump MORE (R-Utah), a frequent Trump critic, stopped short of calling the tweets racist but indicated that he would consider voting for a resolution of disapproval if it came to the floor.

“If that were to come, people know where I stand,” he said.

“My own view is that what he said, and what was tweeted, was destructive, was demeaning, was disunifying, and frankly, it was very wrong,” Romney told reporters.

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