Trump tweets send stinging message to countless Americans

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President Donald Trump’s tweet telling four congresswomen to “go back to where they came from” sent a painful message to many Americans that they are not welcome in their own country.

His comments echo remarks they have heard throughout their lives. But this time, they came straight from the occupant of the Oval Office.

Erika Almiron says she first heard the comment as a fourth-grader at a predominantly white school. The daughter of immigrants from Paraguay was born in Philadelphia.

The president doubled down on his remarks Monday, saying if the lawmakers “hate our country,” they can leave.

Rashad Robinson is executive director of the Color of Change civil rights group. He says Trump’s tweets hearken back to his entry into politics, when he questioned former President Barack Obama’s citizenship.