Tlaib: Trump needs to send a ‘very loud and clear’ signal against domestic terrorism, white supremacy

Greg Nash

Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) on Sunday called for the Trump administration to speak out against white supremacism, saying that the problem would increase as “they continue to stay silent.”

Tlaib, who is one of two Muslim women serving in Congress, said during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” that President Trump has the power to “send a signal, very loud and clear” against domestic terrorism and white supremacy.

“The leadership, the administration — when they continue to stay silent, it’s going to increase,” she added.

{mosads}Her comments come after Trump in the wake of the attacks at two mosques in New Zealand, which left dozens dead, that he doesn’t believe white nationalism is an increasing threat. 

“I think it’s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems. It’s certainly a terrible thing,” Trump said on Friday.

In response to those comments, Tlaib said on CNN that Trump should “pick up the phone and call the Department of Justice.”

“There is real data and information right now of the rise of white supremacy in America. He needs to look at the data and the information and the facts and actually listen,” she said.

“He needs to do better by us and the country,” she later added. “He needs to speak up and condemn this very loud and very clearly.”

Forty-nine people were killed and dozens more were injured following two shootings at mosques in New Zealand. 

Tlaib added Sunday on CNN that it can be “so difficult” to talk to her children about Islamophobia and violence against Muslims and people of color.

“As a mother, it’s hard to sit your child down to help them understand,” she said. “All I can do is come from a place of love and give them a sense of hope. There are more of us than of them, meaning more people that are coming from a place of respect and equality and justice.”

Tags Donald Trump Rashida Tlaib

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