STATEN ISLAND -- The Island’s Republicans vying to oust Rep. Max Rose in 2020 do not think President Donald Trump’s recent tweets telling a group of Democratic congresswoman to go back where they came from are racist.

“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,” Trump said Sunday.

“Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done. These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough. I’m sure that Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!” The president continued.

....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. Then come back and show us how.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2019

Trump’s remarks came as his administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began raids on immigrant communities around the country in 10 major cities including New York City.

Trump was reportedly referring to Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, of New York, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib. Three of those four lawmakers were born in the U.S. except for Omar, who immigrated to the United States as a refugee from Somalia more than two decades ago.

Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-East Shore/South Brooklyn) said she thinks the president’s remarks were taken out of context even though only one of the members of Congress he was referring to was born outside of the country.

“I don’t think his comments are racist,” Malliotakis said from Israel. “ … What he was communicating was the lack of appreciation for this country and how great it truly is from individuals who are within the ranks of Congress.”

“I do believe Ilhan Omar has not shown much appreciation for this nation, I do believe that she has a huge anti-American rhetoric and I think what he’s saying is being taken out of context,” Malliotakis continued.

Omar has come under fire for her characterization of the 9/11 terrorist attack and saying money motivated Israel’s allies in American politics.

Island YouTube prankster Joey Saladino -- Joey Salads -- said he does not think “the comments are racist whatsoever.”

“Much of the world are areas of regular armed civil conflict and widespread interpersonal violence. The United States has generously granted many people the ability to live here and have a better life, just to be derided and abused in return. These Members of Congress are using their positions to advance their aggressively bigoted agenda to radically change the United States against the will of the people who’ve created the nation,” Salads said. “As for who the comment is addressed towards, it’s difficult to determine since a growing number of Democrat bigots in Congress, who put foreigners over citizens, and have embraced racialized, Marxist politics [sic]."

South Shore GOP Councilman Joe Borelli, a Trump surrogate, declined to comment on the president’s recent tweets, only saying: “The Advance has never asked me to comment on anything Trump has done good.”

Rep. Max Rose (D-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) broke away from his Republican rivals, calling the president’s remarks “morally reprehensible and racist.”

“You’re the President of all Americans. Act like it,” Rose said.

My friend @jahimes is absolutely right. These comments are morally reprehensible and racist.



You’re the President of all Americans. Act like it. https://t.co/B87ouViWDL — Max Rose (@MaxRose4NY) July 15, 2019

Trump’s tweets reportedly came as the four members of Congress recently blasted Speaker Nancy Pelosi for supporting a bill funding border security measures and comments she made about their disagreements in a New York Times interview.

Pelosi called the president’s comments “xenophobic” aimed at dividing the country.

“When @realDonaldTrump tells four American Congresswomen to go back to their countries, he reaffirms his plan to “Make America Great Again” has always been about making America white again,” Pelosi said. “Our diversity is our strength and our unity is our power.

When @realDonaldTrump tells four American Congresswomen to go back to their countries, he reaffirms his plan to “Make America Great Again” has always been about making America white again.



Our diversity is our strength and our unity is our power. https://t.co/ODqqHneyES — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 14, 2019

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