President Trump compared the House impeachment inquiry to a public “lynching” Tuesday morning, sparking anger in Washington and across social media for his reckless use of the term associated with mob killings of African Americans.
“So some day, if a Democrat becomes President and the Republicans win the House, even by a tiny margin, they can impeach the President, without due process or fairness or any legal rights,” Trump tweeted at 7:52 am. ET. “All Republicans must remember what they are witnessing here – a lynching. But we will WIN!”
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Criticism of the tweet was swift, with Democrats, Republicans, and journalists blasting Trump for his latest use of divisive language.
“To compare impeachment to a lynching is both infuriating and disgusting,” the NAACP said in a statement on social media. “It supersedes any level of insensitivity and ignorance previously displayed by President Trump. No more excuses, no more explanations.”
To compare impeachment to a lynching is both infuriating and disgusting. It supersedes any level of insensitivity and ignorance previously displayed by President Trump. No more excuses, no more explanations. #ImpeachHate
— NAACP (@NAACP) October 22, 2019
Rep. Karen Bass (D-California) tweeted a picture of the lynching memorial in Alabama and accused Trump of using racist language to distract from his personal problems.
“Every time your back is up against the wall, you throw out these racial bombs,” Bass tweeted. “We’re not taking the bait. While we CONTINUE our business here in DC, why don’t you take a trip to the
@MemPeaceJustice in Alabama and LEARN SOMETHING.”
Every time your back is up against the wall, you throw out these racial bombs.
We’re not taking the bait.
While we CONTINUE our business here in DC, why don’t you take a trip to the @MemPeaceJustice in Alabama and LEARN SOMETHING.https://t.co/5a82t80p1g
— Congressmember Bass (@RepKarenBass) October 22, 2019
New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow also tore into Trump.
“Lynching?! Sir, don’t you DARE invoke the darkness of America’s viciousness toward black people to defend your corruption. How dare you?!” Blow tweeted.
Lynching?! Sir, don’t you DARE invoke the darkness of America’s viciousness toward black people to defend your corruption. How dare you?!… https://t.co/rxoa5w9LaR
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) October 22, 2019
PBS NewsHour White House correspondent, Yamiche Alcindor, reminded Trump of the history of the word after it began to trend on Twitter.
“Lynching is trending so here are some facts: From 1882-1968, 4,743 lynchings occurred in the U.S., according to the NAACP. Of these people that were lynched 3,446 were black,” Alcindor tweeted. “Also facts: President Trump deeply wants to change the subject away from the G7, Ukraine and Syria.”
Lynching is trending so here are some facts: From 1882-1968, 4,743 lynchings occurred in the U.S., according to the NAACP. Of these people that were lynched 3,446 were black.
Also facts: President Trump deeply wants to change the subject away from the G7, Ukraine and Syria.
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) October 22, 2019
Meanwhile, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger of Illinois called on Trump to retract his statement.
“We can all disagree on the process, and argue merits. But never should we use terms like “lynching” here. The painful scourge in our history has no comparison to politics, and @realDonaldTrump should retract this immediately. May God help us to return to a better way,” Kinzinger wrote on Twitter.
We can all disagree on the process, and argue merits. But never should we use terms like “lynching” here. The painful scourge in our history has no comparison to politics, and @realDonaldTrump should retract this immediately. May God help us to return to a better way. https://t.co/URKNgxUfiv
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) October 22, 2019
