Trump steps up attacks on minority congresswomen | TheHill

President TrumpDonald John TrumpCNN'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 on Monday stepped up his attacks on four progressive, minority Democratic lawmakers, which were widely condemned by Democrats — and some Republicans — as racist and unbecoming of an American president.One day after Trump said the four women should “go back” to their home countries, even though all are U.S. citizens, the president denied he was being racist and expressed no remorse when told that white nationalist groups found common cause with his message.“It doesn’t concern me because many people agree with me,” Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House during an event highlighting American manufacturing.Trump said the lawmakers “hate our country,” harbor hatred of Jews and love for terrorist groups and are “free to leave” the U.S. if they choose.“They can leave. We must work as a country to rise above hate, not enable it,” tweeted Rep. Mike TurnerMichael Ray TurnerOcasio-Cortez: 'It's time to move on' from Trump's conception of America Trump steps up attacks on minority congresswomen Second GOP lawmaker calls Trump's tweet 'racist' MORE (Ohio), a Republican who represents a district considered safe by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.Rep. Will HurdWilliam Ballard HurdOvernight 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 lone black House Republican, who represents a competitive district along the southern border, told CNN that Trump’s tweets were “racist and xenophobic.”The Senate’s only black GOP member, Tim ScottTimothy (Tim) Eugene ScottRepublican 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.), struck a similar tone when he referred to Trump’s tweets as “racially offensive.” He also said the president took the focus off the Democrats’ own internal squabbles on race.“Prior to this weekend, we saw the Democratic Party embroiled in racial controversy,” Scott said in a statement, citing the battle between 2020 presidential candidates Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisTrump complains of 'fake polls' after surveys show him trailing multiple Democratic candidates Judd Gregg: Counting the costs of Democrats' desires Buttigieg: 'Medicare for all,' free college tuition are 'questionable on their merits' MORE (D-Calif.) and former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenTrump complains of 'fake polls' after surveys show him trailing multiple Democratic candidates Biden pitches new subsidies, public option in health care plan The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by JUUL Labs - Trump attack on progressive Dems draws sharp rebuke MORE over busing.The internal Democratic divisions were widened by a public feud between Pelosi and the four progressive lawmakers.“Instead of sharing how the Democratic Party’s far-left, pro-socialist policies — not to mention the hateful language some of their members have used against towards law enforcement and Jews — are wrong for the future of our nation, the president interjected with unacceptable personal attacks and racially offensive language,” Scott said.But Trump was unbowed by such criticism.