Washington DC [US], April 24 : The House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats on Thursday (local time) sharply criticised President Donald Trump amid escalating tensions with Iran, calling for more responsible leadership during a critical moment. They further criticised him for "amplifying racist trash" on his post that used derogatory terms against immigrants, including Indians and Chinese.
In a post on X, the committee's Democrats said, "The US is at war with Iran. Thirteen service members are dead, and the president has placed tens of thousands of Americans in harm's way."
https://x.com/HouseForeign/status/2047480195557294160
They further criticised the President's conduct, stating, "Americans are struggling, and he's busy amplifying racist trash on social media, treating the presidency like a reality TV gig. This is a serious moment. Our country deserves leadership that acts like it."
Meanwhile, Congressman Ami Bera also took aim at Trump's remarks, while reflecting on his own immigrant background and the broader American experience.
"As the son of immigrants from India, I take great pride in both my heritage and in the country that gave my family the opportunity to build a better life. My parents came to the United States legally in search of that opportunity," Bera said, in a post on X.
https://x.com/RepBera/status/2047396927013261755
Highlighting his family's journey, he added, "My mother spent 35 years working as a public school teacher. My father worked as an engineer. They instilled in my brothers and me a deep belief in hard work, public service, and giving back to the country that welcomed them."
Describing his own path, Bera stated, "I am a product of that American story. I attended California's public schools from kindergarten through medical school, became a doctor, and now have the privilege of serving our nation in Congress. That is what the American Dream looks like."
Criticising Trump directly, Bera said, "The comments shared by President Trump are offensive, ignorant, and beneath the dignity of the office he holds. They reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of who we are as a nation."
He emphasised the role of immigrants in shaping the United States, noting, "America has always been strengthened by generations of immigrants who come here, work hard, and contribute to our country. They do not weaken America-- they strengthen it."
Bera further said, "America was built by people from all over the world who believed in its promise and worked tirelessly to make it better for the next generation. That's the story of my family, and it's the story of millions of families across our nation."
Drawing a contrast with Trump's background, he added, "President Trump, who was born into wealth and privilege, has never had to struggle the way so many immigrant families have. He does not understand the grit, sacrifice, and determination it takes to build a life from the ground up."
Bera said, "We are a nation of immigrants, and we are stronger because of it."
Earlier on Wednesday (local time), US President Donald Trump amplified a provocative critique of birthright citizenship by sharing a video of prominent conservative author and radio host Michael Savage, who claimed the current legal system allows immigrants to exploit American laws by arriving in the "ninth month of their pregnancy".
In the footage, Savage argued that such practices create a loophole where "a baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring the entire family in from China or India or some other hellhole on the planet."
Meanwhile, the Indian government on Thursday said the post that referred to Indians in derogatory terms in terms of immigration, was "uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste".
"We have seen the comments, as also the subsequent statement issued by the US Embassy in response. The remarks are obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste. They certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.