Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro called President Trump a “grade-A idiot” in a new interview.
The former HUD secretary told Mother Jones that Mr. Trump’s comments this week during a rally in Panama City Beach, Florida, were “unbecoming of a president.”
Mr. Trump drew criticism Wednesday night after he failed to rebuke a rally-goer who suggested shooting immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“How do you stop these people? You can’t,” the president told the audience before a woman reportedly shouted out, “Shoot them!”
Mr. Trump hesitated before responding, “That’s only in the Panhandle you can get away with that stuff. Only in the Panhandle.”
Mr. Castro said Mr. Trump’s behavior continues to fuel the “flames of division.”
“Entertaining the idea that you would shoot a human being just because they’re looking for a better life,” the former San Antonio mayor said in an interview published Thursday. “You know, somebody can think that that’s all fun and games, but we’ve already seen during this administration the level of hate crimes increase. We’ve seen so many white supremacists go out there and say that they’re inspired by President Trump and shoot people. And so he’s being a grade-A idiot.
“To continue to foster the flames of division like that, that is unbecoming of a president, of anybody in public office,” he added.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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