As various leaders react to President Donald Trump’s “go back” to where they came from rant, the silence is disappointingly deafening in Arizona.

Where Republican Sen. Martha McSally had this to say: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....................................................................................................

Meanwhile, Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema came out and said: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….................................................................................................

This was not one of Trump’s usual run-of-the-mill insults.

If our senators replied to Trump’s usual run-of-the-mill insults, they'd have no time to do anything else. This one, however, was different.

This one struck deeply at the core of who – and what – we are in America.

Schoolyard taunt or ignorant racism?

Cue Trump’s tweet(s):

"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."

Telling a foursome of Democratic congresswomen – three of whom were born in the U.S. and a fourth who is as American as you or me by virtue of her citizenship – to go back to where they came from is either the most ignorant schoolyard taunt ever ...

Or it’s just out-right racist, the sort of thing said by a frustrated man who clearly doesn’t understand the country he (supposedly) leads – not the first thing about how to Make America Great Again.

As if America wasn't already great. As if immigrants didn't contribute in a major way to that greatness.

What does silence say? It's not pretty

Me? I’m going with Option No. 2.

Trump’s response to the national outrage over this is no big surprise. He was, and always is, after all, speaking to his base.

“It doesn't concern me because many people agree with me,” he said on Monday. “And all I'm saying, they want to leave, they can leave.”

On Tuesday, he insisted that his tweets weren't racist and that, "I don’t have a Racist bone in my body!"

One wonders why it would occur to a non-racist to tell four congresswomen of color to go back to where they came from simply because they have a different view than his own.

Mark Twain once said, "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it."

Sen. McSally, you were endorsed by Trump. Do you agree with him that black or brown Americans who are critical of this administration or even this country should "go back to where they came from"?

Sen. Sinema, you don't have to pander to president. Do you have anything to say? Anything at all?

This is one of those times when to remain silent is to speak and what that silence says about you isn't pretty.

Senators?

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com.