BOSTON – Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford released the following statement in the wake of President Trump’s latest racist rant against people of color from “shithole countries” coming to America:

“The President is a racist – pure and simple. As reprehensible as his latest rant about ‘shithole countries’ is, it’s not surprising. We’ve seen him fuel the ridiculous birther movement against President Obama. We’ve heard him say Mexicans are rapists and drug dealers. We’ve read about his gross statements about Haitians bringing AIDS to America and Africans coming here to flee their huts.

“Donald Trump is also a liar who repeatedly denies what he’s done or said.  Yet, leaders of the Republican party give the President aid and comfort by putting their Party before our country.

“On this, the eighth anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti that killed hundreds of thousands innocent victims, the people of Massachusetts are left waiting for our Governor to take a stand. It’s time Governor Baker put his duty to serve the people of Massachusetts above protecting the leader of his Party. Governor Baker must denounce the President’s racist policies and call on him to apologize to the thousands of Haitians who help make Massachusetts strong.

“Every time Governor Baker remains silent or waits for pressure to build before disagreeing with the President’s racist rhetoric, he gives cover to the bigots in his party.”

###