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Maine delegation reacts to President Trump's 'sh--hole countries' comment

Sens. Angus King, Susan Collins and Rep.Chellie Pingree respond to President Trump's vulgar language towards African Countries and Haiti.
Maine's delegation responds to President Trump's alleged "sh--hole" comment about Haiti and African countries.

(NEWS CENTER Maine) — Maine Senators and a Representative are condemning President Trump's alleged vulgar language regarding African countries and Haiti.

In an Oval Office meeting on Thursday, Jan. 11, Trump raised questions about accepting immigrants allegedly referring to Haiti and African nations as "sh--hole countries", and said the U.S. should get more immigrants from places like Norway.

Senator Angus King commented on Trump's remarks saying, "Truly regrettable and inconsistent with my understanding of what America is all about."

Senator Susan Collins tweeted, "These comments are highly inappropriate & out of bonds and could hurt efforts for a bipartisan immigration agreement. The President should not denigrate other countries."

Sen. Susan Collins (ME-R) responds to President Trump's alleged comments about Haiti and African nations.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released a statement, calling the comments "racist" and "sickening":

“President Trump’s racist comments about immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador, and countries in Africa are absolutely sickening, even for him. It’s frightening to have someone in the White House with this kind of ignorance and lack of compassion..."

"My grandfather is part of that legacy. He came to America from Norway... Today, I don’t think he would consider giving up paid family leave, health care for all, and the highest rates of education spending in his home country for a nation where the President so disgustingly discounts people who have fled natural disasters, genocide, and poverty to start over in America.”

Reaction from Rep. Pingree from her website.

Trump turned to Twitter to address the widespread backlash, denying using the profane language.

"The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made - a big setback for DACA!"

He continued to stand up for himself, later tweeting:

"Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country."

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