Braddock Mayor Weighs In On Trump Controversy, Calls Republican Presidential Candidate A "Jagoff"
PITTSBURGH (CBS) -- Donald Trump is drawing criticism after a speech he made Monday in South Carolina.
The controversial Republican presidential candidate proposed cutting off all immigration of Muslims into the United States.
Trump's latest policy proposal is his most controversial yet.
"Calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what the hell is going on," said Trump while campaigning in South Carolina.
The crowd at the Trump rally cheered, but his opponents are outraged calling him "unhinged," "ridiculous," "divisive," and "offensive."
"He's a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is also a Republican presidential candidate. "And you know how you make America great again? Tell Donald Trump to go hell."
Locally, some Pittsburgh area politicians are weighing in as well.
Braddock Mayor John Fetterman who is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate released a statement on Tuesday about Trump's comments.
Fetterman says: "Donald Trump is a jagoff. For friends in other parts of the state, here is the definition of jagoff: an American English derogatory slang term from Pittsburgh English meaning a person who is stupid or inept. It is most prominent in the Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania areas. The Dictionary of American Regional English defines the term as a "general term of disparagement." Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagoff.
However, Trump is defending his stance and says he's doing what's right.
"We have people out there that want to do great destruction to our country," Trump told CNN. "That want… our buildings to come down. They want our cities to be crushed."
Whether it's in spite of past controversial statements, or because of them, Trump continues to lead in nearly every poll.
"In this case, where his support comes from is people who are afraid there are going to be more terrorist attacks," said CBS News Political Director John Dickerson.
Before this latest comment, Republican voters viewed Trump as the candidate most capable of handling foreign policy matters.
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