GOP congressman: 'Majority' of Republicans don't want to be defined by Trump supporters

Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC) insisted on Tuesday that Republicans “do not want to be defined” by the racist chants at Trump’s recent rally.

Trump supporters yelled “Send her back!” about Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), an American citizen. Trump later praised the chanters as “incredible patriots.”

Trump kicked off the entire racist episode by calling for Omar and three other Democratic congresswomen of color to “get out” of the country.

Walker was asked about his criticism of the chants, which he previously characterized as a “dagger that went through my heart,” during an interview with CNN.

“I think the majority of the Republicans, whether it’s publicly or most of the time, privately here, agree that we do not want to be defined by those kinds of chants,” Walker said.

He later added that “some of the chants” have “been offensive to many in our minority communities for decades.”

In the days following the chants and Trump’s remarks, Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, would not say the attack was racist.

Walker gave tacit approval to Trump’s racism when he voted against a resolution in the House condemning the smear.

Republicans have largely rallied around Trump’s racism, while a majority of Americans have rejected it. When Trump supporters engage in bigoted chants, they are reflecting Trump and his party.

Walker’s desire for Republicans to escape the backlash to Trump’s racism is doomed, since members of his party continue to make racist comments.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.