Leon Panetta: Trump's sh*thole comment ironic given that he's 'the grandson of immigrants' and married to one
Discussing his CNN editorial published just prior to his interview with host Wolf Blitzer, Panetta explained why Trump doesn’t speak for most Americans.
“I honestly believe that the vast majority of Americans understand that we are a land of immigrants,” the Defense department veteran said.
Panetta and Blitzer discussed how they both came from immigrant backgrounds — and how the president himself has large ties to immigrant communities.
“President Trump, who himself is the grandson of immigrants and is married to an immigrant, nevertheless has criticized those who would seek the same opportunity to better themselves as his own family did,” Panetta wrote in his editorial.
“We are a land that has always welcomed immigrants to our country,” the former defense secretary said, “and it’s for that reason that I think it’s important for the world to know that we truly do believe we are a land of immigrants and we’ll welcome those to our country so they too can enjoy the American dream.”
President Trump, who himself is the grandson of immigrants and is married to an immigrant, nevertheless has criticized those who would seek the same opportunity to better themselves as his own family did.
Throughout our history, we have struggled to live up to our founding principle: that we are all created equal under God, regardless of our race, creed, religion, color, sexual preference, or whether we are born in poverty or wealth.
We respect the human dignity of all people. This President may not embrace those values, but we do. That is who we are.
President Trump, who himself is the grandson of immigrants and is married to an immigrant, nevertheless has criticized those who would seek the same opportunity to better themselves as his own family did.
Throughout our history, we have struggled to live up to our founding principle: that we are all created equal under God, regardless of our race, creed, religion, color, sexual preference, or whether we are born in poverty or wealth.
We respect the human dignity of all people. This President may not embrace those values, but we do. That is who we are.
Last month, Army Private First Class Emmanuel Mensah lost his life saving his neighbors from a horrific fire in a Bronx, New York, apartment building.
He was 28 years old, an immigrant from Ghana -- a nation in Africa, which our President now denigrates.
Private Mensah was not yet a citizen when he enlisted in the United States Army.
He, like many other immigrants serving in our military, exemplified bravery, heroism, and sacrifice.
There are some 900 Dreamers serving in our military today, women and men willing to risk their own lives for freedom. That is who we are.
The world needs to know that presidents may come and go, but that the fundamental values of who we are as a people will never change.
This week, Congress has an opportunity to speak for the majority of Americans by passing the Dream Act, which would give protection and a path to citizenship for the 800,000 Dreamers currently living in our country -- the only home they have ever known.
Rather than turning our backs on these students, soldiers, and business owners, we should lead by example and embrace them.
America must remain the beacon of hope to the world because that is who we are and always will be.
Last month, Army Private First Class Emmanuel Mensah lost his life saving his neighbors from a horrific fire in a Bronx, New York, apartment building.
He was 28 years old, an immigrant from Ghana -- a nation in Africa, which our President now denigrates.
Private Mensah was not yet a citizen when he enlisted in the United States Army.
He, like many other immigrants serving in our military, exemplified bravery, heroism, and sacrifice.
There are some 900 Dreamers serving in our military today, women and men willing to risk their own lives for freedom. That is who we are.
The world needs to know that presidents may come and go, but that the fundamental values of who we are as a people will never change.
This week, Congress has an opportunity to speak for the majority of Americans by passing the Dream Act, which would give protection and a path to citizenship for the 800,000 Dreamers currently living in our country -- the only home they have ever known.
Rather than turning our backs on these students, soldiers, and business owners, we should lead by example and embrace them.
America must remain the beacon of hope to the world because that is who we are and always will be.
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