The Congressional Hispanic Caucus called on Donald Trump to apologize for incendiary comments he made toward Mexicans during his presidential campaign announcement speech earlier this week.
In a blistering statement Friday afternoon, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) said she and fellow lawmakers were “outraged” by his comments that she said “perpetuate hateful stereotypes toward the Latino community.”
“Donald Trump owes an apology to the millions of Mexicans in this country who have contributed their talents towards making the United States the envy of the world,” Sanchez said.
During his presidential campaign announcement speech at the Trump Tower in New York City, Trump suggested that Mexicans immigrating illegally to the U.S. were dangerous.
“The U.S. has become the dumping ground for everybody else’s problems,” Trump said.
“They’re sending people who have lots of problems,” he said. “They bring in drugs, they bring in crime, they’re rapists. I assume some are good people.”
“It’s got to stop, and it has got to stop fast,” Trump added.
Sanchez warned that comments like Trump’s could cause extreme attitudes that lead to violence like the mass shooting in Charleston, S.C., this week. A gunman allegedly opened fire during a Bible study at a historic black church in what federal authorities are calling a hate crime.
“It's this kind of incendiary rhetoric which can lead to acts of violence. The most recent shooting in Charleston, South Carolina and the fatal stabbing of an Ecuadorian immigrant in Suffolk County, New York are examples of the incendiary acts that can result from hateful speech,” Sanchez said.
“True leaders find ways to unite the community and bring people together. Anyone seeking the highest office should denounce such bigoted and erroneous views,” she added.
Capitol Hill Republicans indicated this week they’re largely fine with Trump’s entry into the race, even though he may qualify for the first presidential primary debate and force other candidates off the stage.
