Former Obama adviser David Axelrod lamented on social media that the U.S. has been beset by “sad days” after President Trump signed an executive order Friday that temporarily suspends immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries and bars refugees from entering the U.S.
While he conceded Trump had a “good week” from the standpoint of his support base, Axelrod said to many other Trump’s first days in office represented “shock & despair.”
To @realDonaldTrump base, he had a good week, energetically, defiantly pursuing his promises. To many others, shock & despair that he is.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) January 28, 2017
Axelrod referred to his father, who fled persecution in the pogroms of Eastern Europe at a young age, said America’s history of welcoming those in need of refuge is “part of what’s Made America Great” — the last part perhaps being a subtle jab at Trump’s campaign slogan: “Make America Great Again.”
“Sad days,” he added.
As a child, my dad & his family fled violence & religious persecution & found refuge here. It’s part of what’s Made America Great. Sad days.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) January 28, 2017
Turning to history, Axelrod noted that the U.S. has “gone through reactionary epochs like this before, to our shame. But we overcame them.”
Later, Axelrod said he understands the “politics” of Trump’s executive order: “It’ll galvanize & inflame.”
“But it won’t make America safer. It will make America smaller & more vulnerable,” he added.
I get politics of @POTUS order. It’ll galvanize & inflame. But it won’t make America safer. It will make America smaller & more vulnerable.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) January 28, 2017
