Trump likens impeachment to ‘lynching’

Published October 23, 2019
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday likened the impeachment investigation against him to a “lynching”, a racially charged word from the darkest days of America’s slavery legacy. — AP/File
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday likened the impeachment investigation against him to a “lynching”, a racially charged word from the darkest days of America’s slavery legacy. — AP/File

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday likened the impeachment investigation against him to a “lynching”, a racially charged word from the darkest days of America’s slavery legacy.

There was an immediate backlash to Trump’s tweet in which he claimed that impeachment was unfair and stripping him of his legal rights, although a senior Republican senator backed up the president.

“All Republicans must remember what they are witnessing here — a lynching. But we will WIN!,” Trump tweeted.

Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said she was “sickened to see Trump’s gross misappropriation of this term today”. Clarke said that 4,743 people were lynched in the US between 1882 and 1968, of which 3,446 were African Americans. “Lynchings were crimes against humanity and an ugly part of our nation’s history of racial violence,” she said.

“It’s beyond shameful to use the word ‘lynching’ to describe being held accountable for your actions,” said Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro.

Senator Lindsey Graham, an influential Republican, however, said he fully agreed with Trump’s complaint. “Yes this is a lynching in every sense. This is un-American,” he told reporters.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...