search
Sections List
American Journal News

"Being from Norway is not a skill." Sen. Leahy nails DHS secretary on Trump's racism

Trump used racist, vulgar language to slur other countries, and his homeland security secretary admitted it.

By Tommy Christopher - January 16, 2018
Share

Donald Trump’s racist rant about “shithole countries” can no longer be doubted by even the few Trump supporters who cling to false non-denials.

Trump Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen was at the Oval Office meeting during which Trump made his racist remarks, and has tried to pass off the “I don’t recall” defense to avoid confirming the language that Trump used.

But at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, Nielsen was grilled, under oath, by Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy, and was forced to admit that Trump used “substantially similar” language to that reported by others in the room. Trump defenders had based their stonewalling on the fact that they reportedly heard Trump say “shithouse” rather than “shithole.”

Leahy reminded Nielsen that she was under oath, and asked her if Trump had used the language reported.

“Did President Trump use this word or a substantially similar word to describe certain countries?” Leahy asked.

At first, Nielsen tried to cover for Trump, saying he did not use “that word.” Leahy pressed again.

“Did he use anything similar to that, describing certain countries?” he asked.

Nielsen conceded that Trump used “tough language,” then tried to change the subject to the policy of a “merit-based” immigration system.

Undeterred, Leahy pressed Nielsen again, asking, “Did he use what would be considered vulgar language referring to certain countries?”

Nielsen tried to soften the blow. “The president used tough language in general,” she admitted, “as did other congressmen in the room, yes.”

“The others aren’t president,” Leahy pointed out.

Leahy then noted that Trump’s comments were not, in fact, related to a “merit-based” system.

“When he denigrated Haiti, El Salvador, Africa — countries where we are trying to have some ability to match China and others in influence — he didn’t say it was because we needed more PhD students and skilled workers,” Leahy said. “He said he wanted people from Norway. Being from Norway is not a skill.”

Then Leahy very pointedly asked, “Norway is a predominantly white country, isn’t it?”

“I — I — I actually do not know that, sir, but I imagine that is the case,” Nielsen said.

There really was no doubt as to what Trump said, but this testimony is more than just a reminder of Trump’s racist mind and racist policies. It is also a stark demonstration of the difference between political hacks who are willing to lie for Trump in public, and what happens when they are under oath. Trump should be very afraid.


AJ News
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Read More
AJ News
Latest
How many will lose health insurance under the Republican bill? The CBO says 13.7 million.

How many will lose health insurance under the Republican bill? The CBO says 13.7 million.

By Jesse Valentine - May 23, 2025
Rep. Bresnahan sold shares in PA companies ahead of market drop

Rep. Bresnahan sold shares in PA companies ahead of market drop

By Jesse Valentine - May 21, 2025
Senate Republicans confirm convicted felon as U.S. ambassador

Senate Republicans confirm convicted felon as U.S. ambassador

By Jesse Valentine - May 20, 2025
Texas women face prosecution for abortions if new bill becomes law

Texas women face prosecution for abortions if new bill becomes law

By Bonnie Fuller - May 16, 2025
It’s not just Medicaid—House Republicans want to cut food stamps too

It’s not just Medicaid—House Republicans want to cut food stamps too

By Jesse Valentine - May 15, 2025
Disability advocates arrested protesting GOP Medicaid cuts

Disability advocates arrested protesting GOP Medicaid cuts

By Jesse Valentine - May 14, 2025
Republican Bill Huizenga cheers power plant funds he tried to block

Republican Bill Huizenga cheers power plant funds he tried to block

By Jesse Valentine - May 12, 2025
Jack Ciattarelli called harmful tariffs a “grand experiment”

Jack Ciattarelli called harmful tariffs a “grand experiment”

By Jesse Valentine - May 09, 2025
Paul LePage, a Medicaid critic, launches congressional bid in Maine

Paul LePage, a Medicaid critic, launches congressional bid in Maine

By Jesse Valentine - May 06, 2025
Earle-Sears ignored trans issues in office—now she uses them as a wedge

Earle-Sears ignored trans issues in office—now she uses them as a wedge

By Jesse Valentine - May 05, 2025
Trump effectively shuts down campaign finance watchdog

Trump effectively shuts down campaign finance watchdog

By Jesse Valentine - April 30, 2025
Ciattarelli wants a DOGE-style commission to crack down on New Jersey Medicaid recipients

Ciattarelli wants a DOGE-style commission to crack down on New Jersey Medicaid recipients

By Jesse Valentine - April 30, 2025
House Republicans roll out new plan to decimate Medicaid

House Republicans roll out new plan to decimate Medicaid

By Jesse Valentine - April 24, 2025
Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

By Jesse Valentine - April 22, 2025
Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

By Jesse Valentine - April 21, 2025
“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

By Bonnie Fuller - April 21, 2025
Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

By Jesse Valentine - April 17, 2025
Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

By Jesse Valentine - April 16, 2025
North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

By Jesse Valentine - April 11, 2025
Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

By Jesse Valentine - April 09, 2025
Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

By Jesse Valentine - April 08, 2025
Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025
Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025