Iowa's GOP leaders condemn King's 'our civilization' tweet
U.S. Rep. Steve King on Monday doubled down on a controversial tweet while top Iowa Republican leaders condemned the statement.
King, a Republican representing Iowa’s 4th District, tweeted on Sunday a suggestion that Muslim children are preventing “our civilization” from being restored . The tweet was intended as a gesture of support to Geert Wilders, a far-right candidate for prime minister in the Netherlands widely interpreted as racist.
Early Monday, Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann released a statement disagreeing with King and condemning Duke.
“First of all, I do not agree with Congressman King's statement. We are a nation of immigrants, and diversity is the strength of any nation and any community,” Kaufmann said. “Regarding David Duke, his words and sentiments are absolute garbage. He is not welcome in our wonderful state.”
On Monday morning, U.S. Rep. David Young, a Republican from Iowa’s 3rd District, tweeted messages that seemed to rebut King.
“ America is not about any one color, or one ethnicity, or one faith ,” Young wrote. “ America is about self-government, the rule of law, freedom, and the liberties and rights given in our Constitution. ”
Tags
Who is online
68 visitors
When asked about the statement during his weekly news conference Monday morning, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad condemned King’s tweet as "totally inappropriate" and said he believed "it has no place" in political discourse.
“I disagree with what Steve King had to say and we certainly don’t want David Duke or his kind to come to Iowa,” Branstad said.
Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, also at the news conference, interjected to say that King's comments don't reflect "Iowa values."
"We disagree, and I strongly disagree, and I do not believe that that is reflective of Iowans throughout the state,” she said.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey likewise distanced himself from King's comments, even has he praised King's work on agricultural issues.
"Iowans are very clear about how they feel about these issues," Northey said. "I have certainly been a supporter of the congressman on many, many issues. We would continue to support him on those issues, and disagree with him on others.”
Is there anyone left in the GOP in Iowa that sports King? Watch and see. Trump will show up to campaign for his re-election.