Gov. LePage: The enemy is ‘people of color’

In a press conference meant to address a series of racist and violent comments he has made over the last two days, Maine Governor Paul LePage again attempted to justify his remarks about categorizing alleged drug dealers by race, arguing that doing so was an appropriate way to “identify the enemy.”

“The enemy right now, the overwhelming majority of people coming in, are people of color or people of Hispanic origin,” said LePage.

It’s not clear how LePage believes that his anecdotal, race-based scrap-booking is helpful in addressing the underlying issue of opiod trafficking and abuse.

LePage made a series of false statements during the interview, which Press Herald reporter Scott Thistle broadcast live on Facebook, including that his voicemail to Rep. Drew Gattine was meant as a private communication. During his call, LePage said he hoped Gattine would record his obscenity-laced rant and share it publicly.