Former White House aide Mercedes Schlapp defended President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE’s repeated attacks on four minority congresswomen during a Sunday appearance on ABC's "This Week,", accusing them of anti-Semitism and pushing a “government-controlled agenda.”

Schlapp, who now works for Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign, defended Trump’s reaction to a chant of “send her back” that erupted during a campaign rally last week as he attacked Rep. Ilhan Omar Ilhan OmarOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' Democrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise MORE (D-Minn.)

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“What I’m unhappy about are the chants of the squad,” said Schlapp, the former White House director of strategic communications. The "Squad" is a nickname for the four progressive congresswomen with whom Trump has been feuding: Omar, and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezOn The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline McCarthy says there will be a peaceful transition if Biden wins Anxious Democrats amp up pressure for vote on COVID-19 aid MORE (D-N.Y), Ayanna Pressley Ayanna PressleyFauci, Black Lives Matter founders included on Time's 100 Most Influential People list Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' Pressley applauded on House floor after moving speech on living with alopecia MORE (D-Mass.) and Rashida Tlaib Rashida Harbi TlaibTrump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' George Conway: 'Trump is like a practical joke that got out of hand' Pelosi endorses Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate primary challenge MORE (D-Mich.).

“You’re seeing the squad dictating the rules of the Democratic party … they’re pushing forwards very disturbing statements,” Schlapp told ABC's George Stephanopoulos George Robert StephanopoulosColbert implores Pelosi to update 'weaponry' in SCOTUS fight: 'Trump has a literal heat ray' Murkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Cruz says Senate Republicans likely have votes to confirm Trump Supreme Court nominee MORE in the interview.

She specifically cited comments by Ocasio-Cortez describing border detention facilities as concentration camps and critiques of the Israel lobby by Omar that her critics have said invoked anti-Semitic stereotypes.

"They're fundamentally criticizing the United states, they’re attacking our law enforcement... that to us is very disconcerting," Schlapp said, demurring when Stephanopoulos pointed out that Trump himself has repeatedly criticized the United States.

Schlapp echoed Trump’s simultaneous defense of the attendees and condemnation of the "send her back" chant, saying Trump “made it very clear he disagreed with the chant and I will tell you, he stands with those people in North Carolina, across the country who support him. And why? Because they love America.”

Trump campaign aide Mercedes Schlapp: "[President Trump] made it very clear he disagreed with the chant and I will tell you, he stands with those people in North Carolina, across the country who support him. And why? Because they love America" https://t.co/3Hpmyqr8Sw pic.twitter.com/53q4T6lXD4 — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 21, 2019

Trump has repeatedly questioned the four representatives’ patriotism amid the fallout over the tweets, falsely accusing Ocasio-Cortez of calling Americans “garbage” and on Sunday morning tweeting that the four were not “capable of loving our Country.”