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Miche\u00e1l Martin has hit out at US President Donald Trump over his criticism of four US politicians, describing it as \u201coutrageous\u201d and \u201cridiculous\u201d.<\/p>\nMiche\u00e1l Martin has hit out at US President Donald Trump over his criticism of four US politicians, describing it as \u201coutrageous\u201d and \u201cridiculous\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Fianna F\u00e1il leader said he took \u201cgreat exception\u201d to Mr Trump\u2019s remarks, adding that they were at odds with the spirit of the American nation.<\/p>\n
The US president tweeted last week that four Democratic congresswomen should \u201cgo back\u201d to the \u201ccrime-infested places from which they came\u201d.<\/p>\n
Of the four women, who strongly oppose many of Mr Trump\u2019s policies, one is black, one is Hispanic and two are Muslim. All are American citizens, and three were born there.<\/p>\n
The remarks have been condemned by US Democrats who branded them as racist. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he believed they \u201ccertainly have the hallmarks of racism\u201d, while Tanaiste Simon Coveney said \u201cfueling hatred based on race is not acceptable in political discourse\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Trump has denied his comments were racist.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was outrageous and totally at variance with the spirit at the core of the American nation which is about all races and all creeds coming together to form anew, I mean that was the origins of the American state,\u201d Mr Martin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis comments were ridiculous, in terms of suggesting the newly-elected representatives would go back to the countries of their parents, or grandparents in some cases, as if they were responsible for the poor governance in those countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a ridiculous statement to make, obviously it was in the context of the more sharply divided polarized American political environment, but I think there is a worry here that politics is being coarsened.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Cork South Central TD also said: \u201cThere comes a stage when European politicians need to stand up as well for core values and not be afraid to say we fundamentally disagree with president Trump\u2019s approach, to progressive politicians who are making a difference in the United States, who have legitimate points to articulate.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cPresident Trump is doing disservice to democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked whether he would stand up to Mr Trump if he became Taoiseach Mr Martin said there were limitations to power, but that he would \u201cstand up for the values\u201d that he believes in as a democrat and a parliamentarian.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmerica is still a great democracy, it has its faults, so have we in our democracy, but I do think the language being used to describe other public representatives, this demonization of opponents, what I call the coarsening of political language, I think is something we have had enough of,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n