Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Congresswoman Mia Love Demands Apology From Trump Over Vulgar Remark

File Photo / KUER

Utah Rep. Mia Love, the only Haitian-American in Congress, called on President Donald Trump to apologize after he reportedly referred to Haiti, El Salvador and countries in Africa as “s***hole countries" during an Oval Office meeting. 

In a statement, the Republican Congresswoman called the comments “unkind, divisive, elitist, and fly in the face of our nation’s values.”

Love’s parents, Mary and Jean Maxine Bourdeau, emigrated from Haiti in the 1970s. The Congresswoman said they “worked hard, paid taxes, and rose from nothing to take care of and provide opportunities for their children.”

She called on the President to “apologize to both the American people and the nations he so wantonly maligned.”

Trump reportedly made the comment in a bipartisan meeting with Congressional lawmakers to discuss immigration. The Washington Post reportedthat he became frustrated when lawmakers suggested restoring protections for immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador, and African countries as part of an immigration deal.

“Why are we having all these people from s***hole countries come here?” he asked, before suggesting he preferred the U.S. take in immigrants from countries like Norway.

In a statement on Twitter, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch said he wants an explanation from the President about his comments.

“Part of what makes America so special is that we welcome the best and brightest in the world, regardless of their country of origin,” Hatch’s office tweeted.

Nicole Nixon holds a Communication degree from the University of Utah. She has worked on and off in the KUER Newsroom since 2013, when she first joined KUER as an intern. Nicole is a Utah native. Besides public radio, she is also passionate about beautiful landscapes and breakfast burritos.
KUER is listener-supported public radio. Support this work by making a donation today.