Rochester lawmaker offers sharp rebuke of Trump's reported 'sh—hole' comment
State Rep. Nels Pierson, whose adopted son was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, responded to reports of crude remarks made by President Donald Trump — calling the comments "irresponsible."
Pierson, a Republican from Rochester, took to Facebook Friday morning:
"My delay in response to President Trump’s remarks lies in my wanting to put words into print that my children can always be proud of. I’ve been searching for words to tell my son that his worth and heritage and culture are a gift not only to our family but to our country. Family comes first for me, and every day I wake up with the honor of parenting one of the strongest, hardest working souls I’ve ever met. The things he has seen, lived through, and overcome are beyond what our President or I can ever comprehend. These comments are irresponsible and encourage the discrimination some of us see and fight against every day."
Related: Pierson family spends first full day with adopted son
President Trump referred to African nations as “shithole countries" during a private meeting with lawmakers on Thursday, according to multiple accounts from people with direct knowledge of the conversation. He also questioned why the U.S. would accept immigrants from Haiti.
On Twitter, Trump admitted to using "tough language," but denied the terms described in news reports — suggesting it was made up by Democrats. CNN reported Friday that two Republican senators in the room said they don't recall those vulgar characterizations from the president.
However, Senator Richard Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, insists the comments were made during the meeting, which was about immigration policy. He described Trump as saying “things which were hate-filled, vile and racist," according to the New York Times. Additionally, South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott said that Sen. Lindsay Graham, who was in the meeting, told him the reported comments are "basically accurate."
More on this story via the Washington Post.
