Even some Republicans say Trump should apologize for suggesting John Dingell's in hell

Todd Spangler | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Donald Trump takes shot at Debbie, John Dingell in Battle Creek rally Donald Trump made a comment about Debbie Dingell and her late husband, John Dingell, during his "Merry Christmas" rally in Battle Creek.

WASHINGTON – A day after President Donald Trump suggested at a political rally in Battle Creek that longtime U.S. Rep. John Dingell of Michigan, who died this year, may be in hell, even some Republicans were saying on Thursday that he went too far.

Several Republican members of Congress — including Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and other allies of the president — called on Trump to apologize for the remark, which was made in an attempt to mock the vote Dingell's widow, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, cast for impeaching Trump on Wednesday.

Graham, who said he didn't hear the remarks himself, told reporters Thursday that even to make such a suggestion "in a joking manner ... is out of bounds."

"He should, in my view, apologize," said Graham, who has been one of Trump's most steadfast supporters on Capitol Hill and one of his chief defenders during impeachment.

Sen. Lindsey Graham: "I knew John Dingell and to suggest, even in a joking manner -- you know, that would be wrong. That is out of bounds." pic.twitter.com/r3Z3mjr7Ut — The Hill (@thehill) December 19, 2019

Graham was not alone in denouncing the president's remarks regarding Dingell, who died in February at the age of 92 and was the longest-serving member in Congress' history, having joined the House in 1955 and retiring in 2015. His wife, Debbie, replaced him in the House.

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, who has long been a friend of the Dingells, denounced the remarks. U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell, R-Dryden, published a tweet on Thursday morning saying Trump — who he supports — used Dingell's name in a "dishonorable manner ... unacceptable from anyone."

"An apology is due, Mr. President," Mitchell said.

John Dingell was a well-respected man & I consider Debbie a close colleague and friend. To use his name in such a dishonorable manner at last night’s rally is unacceptable from anyone, let alone the President of the United States. An apology is due, Mr. President @realDonaldTrump — Rep. Paul Mitchell (@RepPaulMitchell) December 19, 2019

Mitchell also tweeted #IStandWithDingell, a hashtag that had gained some social media steam in the hours after Trump's remarks.

In his remarks at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, Trump said that Debbie Dingell effusively thanked him for his giving John Dingell "the A-plus treatment" after his death but was now showing herself to be insincere by voting for impeachment. He went on to say Debbie Dingell told him that John was looking down from heaven, "Maybe he's looking up," Trump said, suggesting Dingell ended up in hell, instead. "I don't know."

Some of Trump's remarks on the subject made no sense, however. At one point, he mentioned the word, "Rotunda," as if he had ordered for Dingell's casket to rest in the U.S. Capitol as part of the memorial services. But Dingell's casket never rested in the Capitol and, if it had, it would have been Congress' call, not the president's.

It's worth noting that, while he was alive, John Dingell, a Democrat, chastised Trump harshly on Twitter too, including at one point suggesting the president "take two running jumps and go to hell," a remark he had also made in the past.

But given that Trump seemed to be going out of his way to insult a dead man — who was also a World War II veteran — as a way to mock his widow, it seemed to many people that the president had crossed a line. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., called the remarks "reprehensible" and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called Debbie Dingell "an extraordinary public servant" and also said Trump owes her an apology.

.@RepDebDingell is an extraordinary public servant, one of the very best Michigan has to offer. I’m grateful she represents our state in Congress, and even more grateful to call her a friend. @realDonaldTrump owes her an apology. — Gretchen Whitmer (@gretchenwhitmer) December 19, 2019

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, asked about Trump's remarks at a news conference on Thursday, rebuked the president, saying, "cruelty is not wit."

"Just because he gets a laugh for saying the cruel things that he says doesn't mean he's funny. It's not funny at all. It's very sad."

Chuck Browning, the director of UAW Region 1A, which includes Detroit, put out a statement denouncing Trump's remarks "in the strongest possible terms," calling them "classless, distasteful and disgusting."

Even House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who is one of the president's staunchest supporters in the U.S. House, took time to note his friendship with the Dingells and their service to the U.S. U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, said, "Merry Christmas Debbie, you deserve to be able to heal in peace. Those comments were totally unnecessary."

Merry Christmas Debbie, you deserve to be able to heal in peace. Those comments were totally unnecessary. https://t.co/eAn5Eu5hKM — Rep. Dan Crenshaw (@RepDanCrenshaw) December 19, 2019

Some politicians made no mention of it, however — including John James, the Republican businessman and former Army helicopter pilot looking to take on Peters in next year's election. James said nothing publicly after appearing with Trump at the rally. Also silent was Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, a Michigander who attended Trump's rally.

Trump's press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, said on ABC's "Good Morning America" that while she was saddened by Dingell's loss, that she believed the president "was just riffing" in front of a supportive crowd.

"He was at a political rally," she said. "He has been under attack, and under impeachment attack, for the last few months, and then just under attack politically for the last 2½ years. I think that as we all know, the president is a counterpuncher."

As for Debbie Dingell, she was on CNN on Thursday morning reacting to Trump's remarks and trying to set the record straight.

"I think it's time to put politics aside on these kind of shots. I try to be respectful of everybody," she said. "I have never taken a shot at this president."

"I didn’t call him (regarding John Dingell's death), he called me to tell he was lowering the flags. John Dingell earned his burial at Arlington National Cemetery because he's a World War II veteran," she said, before adding that her family is still grieving his loss

"We need more civility in this country," she said. "Some things should be off-limits."

Meanwhile, Dingell's campaign committee on Thursday sent out a fundraising request taking note of Trump's remarks.

"Last night at a campaign rally in Battle Creek, President Trump repeated his same line of attack against Debbie over her position on impeachment," the fundraising email said. "But this time, he took it one step further — insulting the legacy of her husband in the process."

"We urgently need 500 supporters to step up right now and donate as a way of saying: President Trump, you are not going to get away with bullying and insulting our congresswoman."

Read more:

Rep. Debbie Dingell: My father was 'mentally ill,' 'shouldn't have had a gun'

Bill Clinton at John Dingell funeral: He was a 'world-class doer'

Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @tsspangler. Read more on Michigan politics and sign up for our elections newsletter.