They used to be known as members of the Congressional Black Caucus – an umbrella group binding all African-Americans elected into the US Senate and House of Reps. At the height of their activities in the 1980s, they really constituted a force to be reckoned with.
Now the few African-American members of the current Congress are demanding an apology from the Chief of Staff of President Donald Trump for what the lawmakers called “blatant lies” about a colleague attacked by the President recently.
The clash between the Trump administration and Rep Frederica Wilson, Democrat of Florida, originated with Rep Wilson criticising the President’s call to the widow of a slain soldier. According to Rep Wilson, Myeshia Johnson was offended by Mr. Trump’s remark that her late husband, Sgt. La David Johnson, “knew what he signed up for”.
Both Ms Johnson and her mother-in-law have corroborated the account, but differing interpretations of the call have fuelled a feud between Rep Wilson and President Trump, who has repeatedly attacked her. So too did the President’s Chief of staff, John Kelly – whose son died in combat – with Mr. Kelly calling Rep Wilson an “empty barrel” stating that she had claimed credit for winning funding for an FBI building in Florida.
Video of Rep Wilson’s speech posted by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel undercut Mr. Kelly’s accusation. It shows Rep Wilson praising a bipartisan effort to name the building after two fallen FBI agents in time for its unveiling, but she does not boast about securing funds.
Over a dozen African-American women in Congress say Mr. Kelly owes Ms Wilson an apology. “General Kelly’s comments are reprehensible. Congresswoman Wilson’s integrity and credibility should not be challenged or undermined by such blatant lies. We, the women of the Congressional Black Caucus, proudly stand with Congresswoman Wilson and demand that General Kelly apologize to her without delay and take responsibility for his reckless and false statements”, a statement from the Congressional Black Caucus said.
The President has not let up in his broadsides against Rep Wilson, assailing her as “wacky” and a “disaster for Dems” in a Sunday morning tweet. His continued criticisms have drawn reproach from other Republicans. “I would just urge President Trump, to focus a little bit on the four soldiers which included Sgt Johnson rather than attack Rep Wilson”, Senator Lindsey Graham said during a news conference.
