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What They Said: Local Lawmakers Weigh In On Trump Tweets on Democratic Congresswomen

Local congressional representatives are speaking out about a string of President Trump’s tweets aimed at four Democratic congresswomen of color.

Trump suggested the four liberal lawmakers should “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.”

Three of the women were born in America, and all four are U.S. citizens. Many critics quickly blasted the tweets as "xenophobic" or "racist." 

Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Moline) said the tweets were “divisive and completely inappropriate.” She said in a statement she wishes the president would work with lawmakers on lowering healthcare costs rather than fueling “divisive partisanship.”

“President Trump’s tweets were divisive and completely inappropriate. Instead of fueling partisanship through Twitter, I wish the president would work with us on the 10 bills we’ve passed to bring down the cost of health care and prescription drugs.”

Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) said it’s “not the language I would of used,” but he said he believes many of his constituents are “deeply disturbed by the new radical agenda that these socialist members in the House are pushing,” such as elimination of ICE and what he calls “anti-Israel, anti-America rhetoric.”

“It is not the language that I would of used, but, I believe the President and many constituents in my district are deeply disturbed by the new radical agenda that these socialist members in the House are pushing of open borders, elimination of ICE, government-run health care, and continued anti-Israel, anti-America rhetoric.”

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon), who represents much of northern and parts of Central Illinois, including part of Stark County, said what the president tweeted this weekend was wrong and divisive. He also blamed the media for stoking division by calling out Republican "silence" over the tweets on Sunday.

The president doubled down on his tweets Monday during comments at a press conference at the White House Rose Garden at an event for American-made products and on social media.

Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.