People in Somalia have been criticising US President Donald Trump for saying Somali-born US congresswoman Ilhan Omar - and three other congresswomen from minority communities - should "go back" to their native countries.

Somalis on Trump telling congresswomen 'go back'

US President Donald Trump on Thursday sought to distance himself from the incendiary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unbowed-trump-intensifies-attacks-on-four-democratic-congresswomen-236766">chant of "Send her back"</a> aimed at a Somali-born Democratic lawmaker during an election rally the night before.

"I was not happy with it -&nbsp;I disagree with it," Trump told reporters when asked about the cry, launched by the crowd in response to an angry tirade by Trump against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-rebuke-trump-says-i-dont-have-a-racist-bone-in-my-body-236506">congresswoman Ilhan Omar</a>.&nbsp;

Asked why he did nothing to stop the taunt, instead pausing as the crowd chanted it over and over, Trump responded: "I think I did -- I started speaking very quickly."

Meanwhile, US congresswoman Ilhan Omar said she believes President Donald Trump is a "fascist," one day after he criticised the Democrat at a rally where his supporters chanted demeaning comments about her.

"We have said this president is racist, we have condemned his racist remarks. I believe he is a fascist," Omar, one of the first two Muslim women in Congress, told reporters in Washington.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-trump-criticised-for-racist-rant-236528/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Omar is among a group of ethnic minority Democrats in Congress who have been the target of Trump's attacks over several days, as he accused them of hating America and urged them to "go back" to their countries of origin.

On Wednesday, fired up by Donald Trump, the crowd targeted Somali-born Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar, one of only three Muslims in the US House of Representatives, with cries of "Send her back! Send her back!"&nbsp;

The derisive chant at Trump's "Make America Great Again" rally set the tone for a 2020 White House campaign that is shaping up to be just as heated and toxic as the 2016 election.

Trump made it clear at the gathering in Greenville, North Carolina, that he plans to make his inflammatory attacks on Omar and three other left-leaning Democratic congresswomen a centerpiece of his re-election strategy.

Without a Democratic presidential candidate to focus on yet, the Republican chief executive is seeking to make the minority lawmakers known as the "Squad" the face of the Democratic Party.

Trump was rebuked by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on Tuesday for "racist comments" for saying the four should "go back" to their countries of origin if they are not happy in the United States.

The first-term lawmakers -- all but one of whom, Omar, were born in the United States -- are of Hispanic, Arab, Somali and African-American descent.

Trump shrugged off the House rebuke and went back on the offensive in Greenville.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday sought to distance himself from the incendiary chant of "Send her back" aimed at a Somali-born Democratic lawmaker during an election rally the night before.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday sought to distance himself from the incendiary chant of "Send her back" aimed at a Somali-born Democratic lawmaker during an election rally the night before. "I was not happy with it - I disagree with it," Trump told reporters when asked about the cry, launched by the crowd in response to an angry tirade by Trump against congresswoman Ilhan Omar. Asked why he did nothing to stop the taunt, instead pausing as the crowd chanted it over and over, Trump responded: "I think I did -- I started speaking very quickly." Meanwhile, US congresswoman Ilhan Omar said she believes President Donald Trump is a "fascist," one day after he criticised the Democrat at a rally where his supporters chanted demeaning comments about her. "We have said this president is racist, we have condemned his racist remarks. I believe he is a fascist," Omar, one of the first two Muslim women in Congress, told reporters in Washington. Watch Video: Omar is among a group of ethnic minority Democrats in Congress who have been the target of Trump's attacks over several days, as he accused them of hating America and urged them to "go back" to their countries of origin. On Wednesday, fired up by Donald Trump, the crowd targeted Somali-born Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar, one of only three Muslims in the US House of Representatives, with cries of "Send her back! Send her back!" The derisive chant at Trump's "Make America Great Again" rally set the tone for a 2020 White House campaign that is shaping up to be just as heated and toxic as the 2016 election. Trump made it clear at the gathering in Greenville, North Carolina, that he plans to make his inflammatory attacks on Omar and three other left-leaning Democratic congresswomen a centerpiece of his re-election strategy. Without a Democratic presidential candidate to focus on yet, the Republican chief executive is seeking to make the minority lawmakers known as the "Squad" the face of the Democratic Party. Trump was rebuked by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on Tuesday for "racist comments" for saying the four should "go back" to their countries of origin if they are not happy in the United States. The first-term lawmakers -- all but one of whom, Omar, were born in the United States -- are of Hispanic, Arab, Somali and African-American descent. Trump shrugged off the House rebuke and went back on the offensive in Greenville.

Not happy, I disagree with it: Trump on 'send her back' chant during election rally

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-votes-to-set-aside-impeachment-resolution-against-trump-236765">US House votes to set aside impeachment resolution against Trump</a>

The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to sideline an impeachment resolution against President Donald Trump, effectively killing the measure for now but not burying the issue that has divided Democrats.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-karnataka-chief-minister-kumaraswamy-to-face-trust-vote-today-236772">Karnataka crisis: Chief Minister Kumaraswamy to face trust vote today</a>

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy-led Congress JD(S) government will face the trust vote in the state Assembly on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unbowed-trump-intensifies-attacks-on-four-democratic-congresswomen-236766">Unbowed, Trump intensifies attacks on four Democratic congresswomen</a>

President Donald Trump intensified his vilification of four liberal lawmakers as un-American at a raucous rally on Wednesday, underscoring that the attacks will be a key part of his strategy for winning re-election in 2020.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-declares-ebola-outbreak-is-international-health-emergency-but-not-global-threat-236767">WHO declares Ebola outbreak is an international health emergency, but not global threat</a>

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo to be a "public health emergency of international concern", saying the recent risk of its spread in the city of Goma and into Uganda had increased the threat.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-rejects-saudi-weapons-sales-trump-to-veto-236775">US House rejects Saudi weapons sales; Trump to veto</a>

Nearly a month after the Senate supported 22 resolutions disapproving of Trump's plan for billions of dollars in weapons sales despite Congress' objections, the House passed three of the 22, two on a vote of 238-190 and the third by a 237-190 margin, largely along party lines. 
&nbsp;

US House votes to set aside impeachment resolution against Trump The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to sideline an impeachment resolution against President Donald Trump, effectively killing the measure for now but not burying the issue that has divided Democrats.

US House votes to set aside impeachment resolution against Trump The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to sideline an impeachment resolution against President Donald Trump, effectively killing the measure for now but not burying the issue that has divided Democrats. Karnataka crisis: Chief Minister Kumaraswamy to face trust vote today Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy-led Congress JD(S) government will face the trust vote in the state Assembly on Thursday. Unbowed, Trump intensifies attacks on four Democratic congresswomen President Donald Trump intensified his vilification of four liberal lawmakers as un-American at a raucous rally on Wednesday, underscoring that the attacks will be a key part of his strategy for winning re-election in 2020. WHO declares Ebola outbreak is an international health emergency, but not global threat The World Health Organisation on Wednesday declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo to be a "public health emergency of international concern", saying the recent risk of its spread in the city of Goma and into Uganda had increased the threat. US House rejects Saudi weapons sales; Trump to veto Nearly a month after the Senate supported 22 resolutions disapproving of Trump's plan for billions of dollars in weapons sales despite Congress' objections, the House passed three of the 22, two on a vote of 238-190 and the third by a 237-190 margin, largely along party lines.

News brief: Big stories of the day

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-defiant-as-lawmakers-blast-his-racist-attacks-on-four-congresswomen-236257">Donald Trump</a> intensified his vilification of four liberal lawmakers as un-American at a raucous rally on Wednesday, underscoring that the attacks will be a key part of his strategy for winning re-election in 2020.&nbsp;

Despite criticism from Democrats that his comments about the four minority congresswomen are racist, Trump went on a 20-minute diatribe about them, saying they were welcome to leave the country if they do not like his policies on issues such as immigration and defending Israel.

“So these congresswomen, their comments are helping to fuel the rise of a dangerous, militant hard left,” Trump said to roars from the crowd in North Carolina, a state seen as key to his re-election.

Trump tweeted on the weekend that the four progressive representatives, known as “the squad” - Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Ohio - should “go back” where they came from, even though all are U.S. citizens and three are U.S.-born.

The aim, one source close to Trump said, was to make Democrats look as far left as possible to moderate voters as he girds for a tough re-election battle in November 2020.

“He is trying to make them the face of the Democratic Party as we move closer into the 2020 cycle and he’s trying to highlight them as a fringe crowd as much as possible so it turns off your middle-of-the-road voters,” the source said.

As Trump recounted past comments made by Omar - who was born in Somalia and emigrated to the United States as a child - the crowd began chanting: “Send her back!”

“Tonight I have a suggestion for the hate-filled extremists who are constantly trying to tear our country down. They never have anything good to say. That’s why I say: ‘Hey, if they don’t like it, let them leave. Let them leave,’” Trump said.&nbsp;

Winning tactic?

The Twitter attacks over the weekend initially caused some heartburn for Trump advisers who felt he had gone too far. But two advisers said Trump’s subsequent tweets had since offered a contrasting view, that the political views of the four lawmakers - known as the “squad” - were socialist, out of the mainstream and hateful to their home country, compared with that of the president and his flag-waving rhetoric.

“If the American people have to choose between the squad and the president, then that’s an easy decision for voters to make,” said one adviser.

Trump, who during his 2016 campaign voiced harsh assessments of the state of the country, tweeted a video ahead of the rally that featured patriotic scenes of the president meeting Americans, with frequent images of the American flag. It ended with the slogan: “America - One Squad Under God.”&nbsp;

The tactic follows a well-worn path for Trump, who called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States during his 2016 campaign. His proposal drew widespread criticism at the time, but Republicans overwhelmingly supported it, and it was a factor in his victory that year.

Over the weekend, Trump inserted himself into what had been an internecine Democratic Party fight that pitted Omar, Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Pressley against House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who publicly doubted their level of influence among fellow House Democrats.

Traditionally, politicians feel they gain most when they remain silent as their opponents fight among themselves. But Trump, never one to resist stirring up a firestorm, weighed in like a charging bull.

He first defended Pelosi, then attacked the four. That prompted Pelosi to switch tactics and defend her flock, prompting Trump and other Republicans to argue the squad’s attempts to push the Democratic Party to the left were working.

The Democratic-controlled House voted on Tuesday largely along party lines to formally condemn Trump’s remarks as “racist.”

His attacks had a spur-of-the-moment quality to them that the Republican Party later built a strategy around.&nbsp;

Barry Bennett, who advised Trump’s 2016 campaign, said the tactic had worked. “The Democratic Party last week was trying to distance itself from the squad, and this week they’re hugging them, and that is a massive win for Trump,” he said.&nbsp;

But not all Republicans were comfortable with the approach.

“I’m disappointed in the tweets,” said Steve Duprey, a member of the Republican National Committee from New Hampshire.

“I know the president is subject to lots of attacks, but he should always try to turn the other cheek and take the high road in my view,” Duprey said.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump intensified his vilification of four liberal lawmakers as un-American at a raucous rally on Wednesday, underscoring that the attacks will be a key part of his strategy for winning re-election in 2020.

President Donald Trump intensified his vilification of four liberal lawmakers as un-American at a raucous rally on Wednesday, underscoring that the attacks will be a key part of his strategy for winning re-election in 2020. Despite criticism from Democrats that his comments about the four minority congresswomen are racist, Trump went on a 20-minute diatribe about them, saying they were welcome to leave the country if they do not like his policies on issues such as immigration and defending Israel. “So these congresswomen, their comments are helping to fuel the rise of a dangerous, militant hard left,” Trump said to roars from the crowd in North Carolina, a state seen as key to his re-election. Trump tweeted on the weekend that the four progressive representatives, known as “the squad” - Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Ohio - should “go back” where they came from, even though all are U.S. citizens and three are U.S.-born. The aim, one source close to Trump said, was to make Democrats look as far left as possible to moderate voters as he girds for a tough re-election battle in November 2020. “He is trying to make them the face of the Democratic Party as we move closer into the 2020 cycle and he’s trying to highlight them as a fringe crowd as much as possible so it turns off your middle-of-the-road voters,” the source said. As Trump recounted past comments made by Omar - who was born in Somalia and emigrated to the United States as a child - the crowd began chanting: “Send her back!” “Tonight I have a suggestion for the hate-filled extremists who are constantly trying to tear our country down. They never have anything good to say. That’s why I say: ‘Hey, if they don’t like it, let them leave. Let them leave,’” Trump said. Winning tactic? The Twitter attacks over the weekend initially caused some heartburn for Trump advisers who felt he had gone too far. But two advisers said Trump’s subsequent tweets had since offered a contrasting view, that the political views of the four lawmakers - known as the “squad” - were socialist, out of the mainstream and hateful to their home country, compared with that of the president and his flag-waving rhetoric. “If the American people have to choose between the squad and the president, then that’s an easy decision for voters to make,” said one adviser. Trump, who during his 2016 campaign voiced harsh assessments of the state of the country, tweeted a video ahead of the rally that featured patriotic scenes of the president meeting Americans, with frequent images of the American flag. It ended with the slogan: “America - One Squad Under God.” The tactic follows a well-worn path for Trump, who called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States during his 2016 campaign. His proposal drew widespread criticism at the time, but Republicans overwhelmingly supported it, and it was a factor in his victory that year. Over the weekend, Trump inserted himself into what had been an internecine Democratic Party fight that pitted Omar, Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Pressley against House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who publicly doubted their level of influence among fellow House Democrats. Traditionally, politicians feel they gain most when they remain silent as their opponents fight among themselves. But Trump, never one to resist stirring up a firestorm, weighed in like a charging bull. He first defended Pelosi, then attacked the four. That prompted Pelosi to switch tactics and defend her flock, prompting Trump and other Republicans to argue the squad’s attempts to push the Democratic Party to the left were working. The Democratic-controlled House voted on Tuesday largely along party lines to formally condemn Trump’s remarks as “racist.” His attacks had a spur-of-the-moment quality to them that the Republican Party later built a strategy around. Barry Bennett, who advised Trump’s 2016 campaign, said the tactic had worked. “The Democratic Party last week was trying to distance itself from the squad, and this week they’re hugging them, and that is a massive win for Trump,” he said. But not all Republicans were comfortable with the approach. “I’m disappointed in the tweets,” said Steve Duprey, a member of the Republican National Committee from New Hampshire. “I know the president is subject to lots of attacks, but he should always try to turn the other cheek and take the high road in my view,” Duprey said.

Unbowed, Trump intensifies attacks on four Democratic congresswomen

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tells-democratic-congresswomen-to-go-back-to-fix-countries-they-came-from-235979">Donald Trump</a> doubled down on his attacks against four minority US congresswomen on Monday and dismissed concerns that his comments were racist, prompting outrage from Democrats, who moved to condemn him in the House of Representatives.

Speaking at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-moves-to-block-asylum-for-migrants-entering-us-from-mexico-236236">White House, Trump</a> said people he described as critical of the United States should leave the country.

Those remarks followed his Twitter messages on Sunday that said the four left-wing lawmakers, known in Congress as "the squad," should go back to "the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came."

All four of the first-term House members are US&nbsp;citizens and all but one were born in the United States.

"If you're not happy in the US, if you're complaining all the time, very simply: You can leave," he said, drawing scattered applause from a crowd of businesspeople.

Asked if he was concerned that some viewed his remarks as racist and that white supremacists found common cause with him, Trump said he was not. "It doesn`t concern me because many people agree with me," Trump said.

<img alt="Washington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bf240dd-2a3c-4ae3-a211-f21d0bb5ba98" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_17.jpg" />

US Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) hold a news conference after Democrats in the US Congress moved to formally condemn President Donald Trump's attacks on the four minority congresswomen on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, July 15, 2019. &nbsp;(Reuters Photo)

The president`s remarks were widely derided and some, though not many, of his fellow Republicans spoke out against them.

Trump did not identify the lawmakers by name in his Sunday tweets, but he appeared to refer to representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.

All four have been critical of Trump, as well as of the current Democratic leaders of the House, straining party unity in that chamber.

At a press conference on Capitol Hill, the four lawmakers said Trump was trying to sow division and distract attention from what they characterized as failed policies on immigration, healthcare and taxation.

"Weak minds and leaders challenge loyalty to our country in order to avoid challenging and debating the policy," Ocasio-Cortez said.

Tlaib and Omar repeated their calls for Trump to be impeached.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has been criticized by members of "the squad," said her party would introduce a resolution condemning Trump`s "xenophobic tweets."

A draft of the resolution, seen by Reuters late on Monday, said the House "strongly condemns President Donald Trump`s racist comments that have legitimised and increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of colour ..."

Representative Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, told reporters the resolution could be on the House floor for debate as soon as Tuesday.

Such a resolution could put Trump`s fellow Republicans in Congress in an awkward position, forcing them either to vote against their party`s leader, who has strong support among conservatives, or effectively to defend his statements.

Trump's attacks elevated the profiles of the four progressive Democrats, who have helped push the party`s agenda to the left, causing concern among Democratic moderates who are eager to hold onto their seats in the 2020 election.

A few Republicans speak out

Trump has a history of what critics consider race-baiting. He led a movement that falsely claimed former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States, and he said after a deadly, white supremacist-led rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that "both sides" were to blame for violence there.

"This is the agenda of white nationalists, whether it is happening in chat rooms, or it's happening on national TV, and now it`s reached the White House garden," Omar said.

Although most Republicans stayed silent on Trump`s divisive rhetoric, several began expressing concern late on Monday.

Texas Representative Will Hurd, the only African-American Republican in the House, called the attacks "racist" on CNN.

Tim Scott, the Senate's only black Republican, called them "racially offensive" on Twitter.

Others did not go that far. Senator Mitt Romney, the party`s 2012 presidential nominee, and Senator Marco Rubio, who ran in 2016, both condemned the remarks but declined to characterize them as racist.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said the four lawmakers belonged in the United States, but did not criticise Trump. "The president is not a racist," he told reporters.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell did not comment on the controversy.

Trump regularly used racially charged language during his campaign and continued in his presidency. His latest remarks came as some of his efforts to deal with immigration - a major issue for his conservative base - have faltered.

Trump promised as a candidate to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and that Mexico would pay for it. As president, very little has happened on wall construction and Mexico has resolutely refused to pay for a wall.

'Racism, division'

In his Sunday tweets, Trump said of the four congresswomen, "Why don`t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came ... Then come back and show us how ... it is done."

Ocasio-Cortez, Pressley and Tlaib were born in the United States while Omar, a Somali refugee, arrived in 1992.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a sometime Trump golf partner and adviser, called the four congresswomen "communist" and "anti-Semitic" on Fox News on Monday, but he also called on Trump to stop making such personal attacks.

"Aim higher ... Take on their policies. The bottom line here is this is a diverse country," he said, adding that he had spoken to Trump.

President Donald Trump doubled down on his attacks against four minority US congresswomen on Monday and dismissed concerns that his comments were racist, prompting outrage from Democrats, who moved to condemn him in the House of Representatives.

President Donald Trump doubled down on his attacks against four minority US congresswomen on Monday and dismissed concerns that his comments were racist, prompting outrage from Democrats, who moved to condemn him in the House of Representatives. Speaking at the White House, Trump said people he described as critical of the United States should leave the country. Those remarks followed his Twitter messages on Sunday that said the four left-wing lawmakers, known in Congress as "the squad," should go back to "the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came." All four of the first-term House members are US citizens and all but one were born in the United States. "If you're not happy in the US, if you're complaining all the time, very simply: You can leave," he said, drawing scattered applause from a crowd of businesspeople. Asked if he was concerned that some viewed his remarks as racist and that white supremacists found common cause with him, Trump said he was not. "It doesn`t concern me because many people agree with me," Trump said. US Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) hold a news conference after Democrats in the US Congress moved to formally condemn President Donald Trump's attacks on the four minority congresswomen on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, July 15, 2019. (Reuters Photo) The president`s remarks were widely derided and some, though not many, of his fellow Republicans spoke out against them. Trump did not identify the lawmakers by name in his Sunday tweets, but he appeared to refer to representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. All four have been critical of Trump, as well as of the current Democratic leaders of the House, straining party unity in that chamber. At a press conference on Capitol Hill, the four lawmakers said Trump was trying to sow division and distract attention from what they characterized as failed policies on immigration, healthcare and taxation. "Weak minds and leaders challenge loyalty to our country in order to avoid challenging and debating the policy," Ocasio-Cortez said. Tlaib and Omar repeated their calls for Trump to be impeached. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has been criticized by members of "the squad," said her party would introduce a resolution condemning Trump`s "xenophobic tweets." A draft of the resolution, seen by Reuters late on Monday, said the House "strongly condemns President Donald Trump`s racist comments that have legitimised and increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of colour ..." Representative Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, told reporters the resolution could be on the House floor for debate as soon as Tuesday. Such a resolution could put Trump`s fellow Republicans in Congress in an awkward position, forcing them either to vote against their party`s leader, who has strong support among conservatives, or effectively to defend his statements. Trump's attacks elevated the profiles of the four progressive Democrats, who have helped push the party`s agenda to the left, causing concern among Democratic moderates who are eager to hold onto their seats in the 2020 election. A few Republicans speak out Trump has a history of what critics consider race-baiting. He led a movement that falsely claimed former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States, and he said after a deadly, white supremacist-led rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that "both sides" were to blame for violence there. "This is the agenda of white nationalists, whether it is happening in chat rooms, or it's happening on national TV, and now it`s reached the White House garden," Omar said. Although most Republicans stayed silent on Trump`s divisive rhetoric, several began expressing concern late on Monday. Texas Representative Will Hurd, the only African-American Republican in the House, called the attacks "racist" on CNN. Tim Scott, the Senate's only black Republican, called them "racially offensive" on Twitter. Others did not go that far. Senator Mitt Romney, the party`s 2012 presidential nominee, and Senator Marco Rubio, who ran in 2016, both condemned the remarks but declined to characterize them as racist. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said the four lawmakers belonged in the United States, but did not criticise Trump. "The president is not a racist," he told reporters. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell did not comment on the controversy. Trump regularly used racially charged language during his campaign and continued in his presidency. His latest remarks came as some of his efforts to deal with immigration - a major issue for his conservative base - have faltered. Trump promised as a candidate to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and that Mexico would pay for it. As president, very little has happened on wall construction and Mexico has resolutely refused to pay for a wall. 'Racism, division' In his Sunday tweets, Trump said of the four congresswomen, "Why don`t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came ... Then come back and show us how ... it is done." Ocasio-Cortez, Pressley and Tlaib were born in the United States while Omar, a Somali refugee, arrived in 1992. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a sometime Trump golf partner and adviser, called the four congresswomen "communist" and "anti-Semitic" on Fox News on Monday, but he also called on Trump to stop making such personal attacks. "Aim higher ... Take on their policies. The bottom line here is this is a diverse country," he said, adding that he had spoken to Trump.

Donald Trump defiant as lawmakers blast his 'racist' attacks on four congresswomen

Four minority US congresswomen known as the "the squad" accused President Donald Trump of trying to sow division and distract attention from what they characterized as failed policies on immigration, health care and taxation on Monday.

Congresswomen call Trump's attack an attempt to distract from his policies

U.S. President Trump Targets Congresswomen Of Colour, Asks Them To Leave The U.S. U.S. President Trump lands himself in hot water yet again. His racially charged tweets aimed at women lawmakers of colour leads to strong criticism. Here's a report

Gravitas: All the President's tweets: Trump accused of racism

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday joined international condemnation of US President Donald <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-congresswomen-hit-back-after-racist-trump-tirade-236437">Trump's xenophobic tweets about progressive Democrat congresswomen</a>.

Ardern, the charismatic young leader who has been hailed as "the anti-Trump" by US media, said she proudly celebrated her country's diversity.

"Usually I don't get into other people's politics, but it will be clear to most people that I completely and utterly disagree with him," Ardern told Radio New Zealand.

Trump on Sunday urged a group of four Democratic congresswomen of colour -- three of them US-born -- to "go back" to the countries they came from, then renewed his attack on them a day later.

"If you're not happy here, you can leave... This is about love for America, certain people hate our country," he tweeted.

Ardern said New Zealanders welcomed diversity in the corridors of power.

"We take the view that our parliament should be a representative place, it should look and feel like New Zealand, it should have a range of different cultures and ethnicities," she said.

"And never should a judgement be made about the origin of anyone, and their right, therefore, to be in parliament as a representative."

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Canadian leader Justin Trudeau have also condemned the tweets, while Democratic presidential candidates have labelled Trump racist.

Ardern has not been shy about highlighting her differences with Trump in the past, advising him to send "sympathy and love to all Muslim communities" in the wake of the Christchurch mosques massacre in March when a gunman killed 51 worshippers.

Shortly after Ardern's stunning election win in late 2017, Trump met her at a summit in Vietnam and joked she had "caused a lot of upset in her country".

"You know, no one marched when I was elected," she retorted, referring to the protests that followed Trump's victory in 2016.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday joined international condemnation of US President Donald Trump's xenophobic tweets about progressive Democrat congresswomen.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday joined international condemnation of US President Donald Trump's xenophobic tweets about progressive Democrat congresswomen. Ardern, the charismatic young leader who has been hailed as "the anti-Trump" by US media, said she proudly celebrated her country's diversity. "Usually I don't get into other people's politics, but it will be clear to most people that I completely and utterly disagree with him," Ardern told Radio New Zealand. Trump on Sunday urged a group of four Democratic congresswomen of colour -- three of them US-born -- to "go back" to the countries they came from, then renewed his attack on them a day later. "If you're not happy here, you can leave... This is about love for America, certain people hate our country," he tweeted. Ardern said New Zealanders welcomed diversity in the corridors of power. "We take the view that our parliament should be a representative place, it should look and feel like New Zealand, it should have a range of different cultures and ethnicities," she said. "And never should a judgement be made about the origin of anyone, and their right, therefore, to be in parliament as a representative." British Prime Minister Theresa May and Canadian leader Justin Trudeau have also condemned the tweets, while Democratic presidential candidates have labelled Trump racist. Ardern has not been shy about highlighting her differences with Trump in the past, advising him to send "sympathy and love to all Muslim communities" in the wake of the Christchurch mosques massacre in March when a gunman killed 51 worshippers. Shortly after Ardern's stunning election win in late 2017, Trump met her at a summit in Vietnam and joked she had "caused a lot of upset in her country". "You know, no one marched when I was elected," she retorted, referring to the protests that followed Trump's victory in 2016.

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern 'utterly' disagrees with Trump tweets on US congresswomen

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