Gov. Larry Hogan Calls Trump Tweets On Baltimore, Rep Cummings 'Outrageous And Inappropriate'
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Governor Hogan said the recent comments President Donald Trump made over the weekend and into Monday about Baltimore and Rep. Elijah Cummings were "outrageous and inappropriate"
The governor appeared on WBAL Radio on Monday and said that the divisive politics must end and 'enough is enough'
"We have got to get the people in Washington to stop the angry, divisive politics and stop the tweeting and get focused on how do we solve the problems not just of Baltimore but all of our urban areas. You know, this kind of stuff is just not helpful. We have real problems that need to be addressed, there's no question about that."
The president tweeted Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning about Baltimore and criticized Cummings, sparking reactions from Maryland and Baltimore officials.
The tweets referenced Cummings' past comments about conditions at the U.S. southern border.
Hogan called Baltimore the heart and lifeblood of Maryland and called the people who live in the city strong and resilient.
He added that though the comments were terrible it could bring more conversation to fixing actual problems in the area.
"As terrible as the comments were, as you say, maybe it's going to help us steer the conversation away from the angry rants back and forth and focus in on, yes, we have real problems in Baltimore and guess what, the state and the city need the help of the Congress and the White House. And so I say, let's stop the tweeting and let's get to work in Washington on getting things done as we're trying to do here in the state and the city."
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President Donald Trump's tweets over the weekend directly addressed Rep. Elijah Cummings, who represents Maryland's 7th District- which includes parts of three areas- Baltimore, Baltimore County and Howard County.
Trump demanded an investigation into the congressional district and called it a "disgusting, rat and rodent-infested mess,"
City officials held a press conference outside of City Hall on Saturday night to denounce President Trump's tweets.
"Today we stand united in support of our great City of Baltimore," Mayor Jack Young said at the press conference. "It is completely unacceptable, for the President of the United States of America, to use his considerable power and global voice to attack a vibrant, American city."
Other officials showed their support for Cummings, including Rep. John Sarbanes, who also represents Baltimore.
Del. Maggie McIntosh said Cummings is her hero and role model, and that he is Baltimore's heart.
Former Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell defended Charm City, where he went to law school.
"Hey haters, Baltimore is in America." He tweeted Saturday. "America is not just the places you like or look like you. It's the places you've never seen and the people you've never met."
He added with a hashtag that Cummings is a patriot.
Former New York City mayor and Johns Hopkins graduate Michael Bloomberg defended Baltimore in a tweet.
"Home to one of America's greatest universities and hospitals. Home to hundreds of thousands of America's proudest people. Resilient and strong. #WeAreBaltimore," he tweeted.
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger said President Trump messed with the wrong city and called him a bully.
Baltimore Mayor Young Jack Young also sent out an official statement over the weekend.
"It's completely unacceptable for the political leader of our country to denigrate a vibrant American City like Baltimore, and to viciously attack U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings a patriot and a hero. Mr. Trump's rhetoric is hurtful and dangerous to the people he's sworn to represent. As the Mayor of Baltimore, I won't stand for anyone, not even the alleged Leader of the Free World, attacking our great City or our representative to Congress. Mr. Trump, you are a disappointment to the people of Baltimore, our country, and to the world," He said.
