Former first lady Michelle Obama appeared to hit back at President Trump on Friday after his recent attacks on a group of minority Democratic congresswomen, tweeting that “there’s a place for us all” in the U.S.
“What truly makes our country great is its diversity. I’ve seen that beauty in so many ways over the years. Whether we are born here or seek refuge here, there’s a place for us all,” Obama tweeted. “We must remember it’s not my America or your America. It’s our America.”
{mosads}Obama’s remarks come after a nearly weeklong feud between Trump four freshman congresswomen known as the “Squad”: Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) and Rashida Tlaib (Mich.).
Trump attacked the group of progressive lawmakers and outspoken critics of his administration on Sunday, tweeting that they should all “go back” to where they came from, despite all four being American citizens. Three of the women were born in the U.S. Omar was born in Somalia and immigrated to the United States as a child refugee.
The president ramped up his attacks Monday, alleging that the group of politicians “hate our country,” harbor hate toward Jews and embrace terrorist groups, adding that they’re “free to leave” the U.S. if they choose.
At Trump’s Wednesday night campaign rally in North Carolina, supporters chanted “send her back,” targeting Omar after the president mentioned her.
Democrats and some Republican lawmakers have denounced Trump for his statements, and the House voted Tuesday to approve a resolution condemning the attacks.
Trump has continued to insist that the tweets were not racist and that “I don’t have a racist bone in my body.”
Trump has also distanced himself from the “send her back” chants by saying he disagreed, despite letting them go for more than 10 seconds.
A video of the late Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) handling of a heckler who accused his 2008 presidential opponent, Barack Obama, of being an “Arab” went viral Thursday as Trump continued to face backlash for the chants.