Former Republican Senator Speaks Out Against Trump’s Comments

July 15, 2019 3:56 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) – A former Arizona Republican senator who retired last year after clashing with President Donald Trump says GOP leaders should criticize the president for his tweets directed at four Democratic congresswomen of color. Jeff Flake tells The Associated Press that as leaders, top congressional Republicans should say Trump’s comments are wrong. He also says the remarks can damage the GOP brand by further alienating millennials and suburban women already disenchanted with the party. Flake says he understands that party leaders are reluctant to weigh in because it would pressure GOP incumbents seeking re-election in tight races to do the same, and that would be risky. Flake says, “It’s just, good grief, you’ve got to stand for something.” In the tweet, Trump said the Democratic congresswomen of color should “go back” to their original countries. The four congresswomen are American and three are U.S.-born.