DNC slams Trump’s National Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation as ‘hypocritical’

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Wednesday slammed President Trump’s proclamation for an upcoming National Hispanic Heritage Month as “hypocritical” and “insulting.”

“That Trump would pretend to care about Hispanic Americans a week after rescinding [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] is more than hypocritical – it’s downright insulting. Hispanic Heritage Month is indeed a moment to celebrate the accomplishments of Hispanic Americans and their many contributions to our nation,” Francisco Pelayo, a spokesperson for the DNC, said in a statement. 

“If only Trump’s proclamation contained guiding principles instead of empty words, it could be taken seriously.”

{mosads}The statement comes after the White House issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2017, as National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Trump in the proclamation expressed thanks to Hispanic Americans for their “many contributions” to United States society.

“Hispanic Americans strengthen our bonds with our Latin American neighbors, with whom we share a rich history. We are united with them in hemispheric solidarity, based on a shared commitment to democratic principles,” Trump said in the proclamation.

“To secure a more prosperous, free Western Hemisphere, we are working to advance and maintain democracy in the region and secure free and fair trade among our regional partners.”

The proclamation comes just over one week after the Trump administration announced that it would phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which temporarily blocked the deportation of undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as minors and sought work permits.

The DNC said it will not be “fooled by Trump’s lip service.”

“Just last week, his administration shattered the dreams of hundreds of thousands of young immigrants — many of whom are Hispanic — who want nothing more than the opportunity to contribute to the only country they have ever called home. They deserve better than a false promise from a two-faced president.”

Trump, who centered his presidential campaign around a staunch immigration policy, has promised to build a wall on the United States’ southern border with Mexico.