Ayanna Pressley (D, Mass.), Ilhan Omar (D, Minn.), Rashida Tlaib (D, Mich.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D, N.Y.) are rising stars in Congress, despite pushback from both Democrats and Republicans (Erin Scott/Reuters).

In an era of rising racial tensions, increasing economic inequality, and an ongoing climate crisis, it seems logical that the American public would begin demanding serious change to the status quo.

Add to that a President of the United States using blatantly racist language and directly attacking immigrant communities, going as far as separating children from parents and holding them in concentration camps in unsanitary conditions. The battle for the soul of America is raging on — and the American people are losing worse than many imagined possible.

But alas, all hope is not lost. A new, diverse generation of congresswomen are inspiring bold change across the country.

Ayanna Pressley (D, Mass.), Ilhan Omar (D, Minn.), Rashida Tlaib (D, Mich.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D, N.Y.) are four women of color who were elected to Congress in 2018. Backed by the Justice Democrats, a PAC seeking to push the Democratic Party toward a strong progressive agenda, these women are changing the way Democrats think about what is possible.

They are helping mainstream ideas like the Green New Deal, cancelling student debt, and raising taxes on the rich. On immigration, they provide some of the most heartfelt accounts of the human rights abuses being committed against refugees in our “migrant detention centers,” They regularly speak out about corporate greed and the harmful impact it has on working Americans and the country as a whole.

For different reasons, these beliefs scare the political establishment in both parties.

For Republicans like Trump, the fear is widespread. Not only does he view this as a “socialist takeover,” hurting the financial interests of himself and his corporate friends, but it is also the beginning of a wider demographic shift in the country. America’s racial diversity is increasing and people of color are finally getting closer to the representation they deserve, something that terrifies Trump and many Republicans.

He lashed out last week, tweeting what is perhaps the most racist statement from an American President in the 21st century:

“ So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run. Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.”

Not only is this statement foolish considering three of the four congresswomen Trump is referring to were born in America, and Ilhan Omar has been a citizen longer than his own wife, it is the type of comment that would violate anti-discrimination employment laws if Trump were their boss (constitutionally they are co-equal).

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) cites the phrase “go back to where you came from” as illegally discriminatory if coming from a supervisor to an employee and creating a hostile work environment. Considering that all of these congresswomen have already been receiving death threats, it is fair to say the President’s racist comments puts them at even greater risk.

The hostile environment created by Trump’s comments were on display at a campaign rally he held in Greenville, North Carolina last week. After Trump mentioned Congresswoman Omar, the crowd responded with chants of “Send her back.”

It’s shocking to see an American President use such blatant racist dog whistles in 21st century America. Sadly, that’s the moment in history we find ourselves in today.