A group of US Congresswomen have responded following a series of tweets from Donald Trump that have been widely accused of being racist.
Yesterday, President Trump tweeted suggesting progressive Democratic Congresswomen "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came".
While nobody was directly named, it's widely assumed to refer to four prominent politicians currently involved in a war of words with House speaker Nancy Pelosi - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley.
The four progressive politicians, all of whom are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, are often referred to as 'the Squad'.
Ms Omar was born in Somalia before moving to the US as a child, while the other three women were all born in the US.
All four took to social media to respond to President Trump's remarks.
Ms Omar said members of Congress only "swear an oath to is the United States" - adding that they're fighting to protect the country from the "worst, most corrupt and inept president we have ever seen".
Ms Ocasio-Cortez responded to President Trump by stating: "You are angry because you can’t conceive of an America that includes us. You rely on a frightened America for your plunder."
But you know what’s the rub of it all, Mr. President?
On top of not accepting an America that elected us, you cannot accept that we don’t fear you,either.
You can’t accept that we will call your bluff & offer a positive vision for this country. And that’s what makes you seethe.— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 14, 2019
Rashida Tlaib accused Trump of 'degrading and attacking' communities, while Ms Pressely said "this is what racism looks like".
Yo @realDonaldTrump, I am fighting corruption in OUR country. I do it every day when I hold your admin accountable as a U.S. Congresswoman. Detroit taught me how to fight for the communities you continue to degrade & attack. Keep talking, you’ll be out of the WH soon. #TickTock
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) July 14, 2019
THIS is what racism looks like. WE are what democracy looks like. And we’re not going anywhere. Except back to DC to fight for the families you marginalize and vilify everyday. pic.twitter.com/vYzoxCgN0X
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) July 14, 2019
Other Democratic politicians joined the four Congresswomen in condemning the US president's tweets.
Despite her recent public dispute with 'the Squad', Nancy Pelosi said she rejected President Trump's "xenophobic comments meant to divide our nation".
She added: "When [Donald Trump] tells four American Congresswomen to go back to their countries, he reaffirms his plan to 'Make America Great Again' has always been about making America white again."
A range of the party's presidential hopefuls also slammed the comments - including Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris.
Senator Warren called it a "racist and xenophobic attack on Democratic congresswomen", while Senator Harris described it as "un-American".
The US president himself appeared to double down on his comments in a pair of tweets later on Sunday:
There were few responses to the comments from other Republican lawmakers on Sunday.
