Edwards Calls Out Congressman For Defense Of Trump

Tracey Edwards is the Long Island regional director of the NAACP.
Long Islander News photo/archives

By Andrew Wroblewski
awroblewski@longislandergroup.com

Long Island Regional Director of the NAACP Tracey Edwards called out a federal congressman Sunday for his response to President Donald Trump’s reported “sxxxhole” remark.

Rep. Lee Zeldin, who represents the Island’s east end, said in a Facebook post that Trump was “not elected for his ability or willingness to be politically correct,” referencing the president’s reported Jan. 12 comment regarding immigrants coming from “sxxxhole” countries, like Haiti.

Zeldin added, “I’m not here to call for the president’s mouth to be washed out with soap and then for him to be physically removed from office. He’s not perfect, but no president has ever been perfect. I’m still very strongly rooting for his success and America’s success in this great New Year.”

Edwards, citing the statement, said, “It’s our strong belief that the 45th president not only needs to be factually correct and presidential, but also conduct himself as a human being with a moral compass.”

She continued, “Elected representatives on Long Island need to be clear and make unequivocal statements on behalf of all Long Islanders. Congressman Lee Zeldin’s Facebook response failed to do that.

“It’s Congress’ moral responsibility to not only to denounce the president’s statement, but also honor our country’s progress on inclusion, our defense of democratic values, and above all respect an individual’s dignity.”

Other Long Island representatives, including Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Huntington), did condemn Trump’s reported remarks, calling them “awful, inappropriate, unpresidential, irresponsible and demoralizing to so many people.”

Suozzi added, “The countries the president referenced are impoverished and suffering from a host of problems. Human beings occupy those countries and the United States of America has always been a beacon of hope to them and so many others around the world. The president’s comments diminished our status as that beacon of hope.”

Edwards commended Suozzi, and those who condemned the president’s remarks.

“Any time there is a bigoted remark it has to be immediately condemned without qualification,” Edwards said. “And whether the president said ‘sxxxhole’ or ‘sxxxhouse’ makes no difference. We are a nation full of immigrants, and I have expectations that anyone who represents Long Islanders will not tolerate this.”