Nearly 200 black, female leaders are demanding an apology from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., over their “failure” to defend Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., from “unwarranted attacks” by President Trump and his Republican allies.
“We write to share our profound indignation and deep disappointment over your recent failure to protect Congresswoman Waters from unwarranted attacks from the Trump Administration and others in the GOP,” the group wrote in a letter sent Tuesday, according to ABC News. “That failure was further compounded by your decision to unfairly deride her as being ‘uncivil’ and ‘un-American.’”
The group, which includes activists, religious leaders, academics, local elected officials, and some men, said their failure to support Waters amid her controversial comments is an “affront to her and Black women across the country.”
The Democratic Party is sending a message “that it does not respect Black women’s leadership and political power and discounts the impact of Black women and millennial voters,” the women wrote.
Water was criticized on both sides of the aisle for urging protesters to harass Trump officials when they are seen in public. She made the comments in response to Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy at the U.S.-Mexico border that separated migrant children from their parents being held in detention centers.
Pelosi said Waters remarks were “unacceptable.” Schumer said her message was “not American.”
“I strongly disagree with those who advocate harassing folks if they don’t agree with you,” Schumer said. “If you disagree with a politician, organize your fellow citizens to action and vote them out of office.”
Waters insists she was not encouraging violence against Trump officials and said her comments have been mischaracterized.
In a tweet, Trump warned Waters that she better “be careful” what she wishes for. He has not clarified what he meant.
