“Last night, Donald Trump unleashed perhaps his most destructive and immoral diatribe against immigrant communities since becoming president. Let’s be clear: This type of outrageous and dehumanizing and fear-mongering rhetoric is lifted straight from the authoritarian fascist playbook. As hard as it is after almost two years of exposure to this hatred, we must resist the urge to dismiss these latest comments as, in any way, normal or expected. We must not allow the President of the United States to subvert the boundaries of our society. With these remarks, combined with the harsh crackdowns, detention and deportations taking place under his watch, President Trump is betraying our nation.   

The history of the Jewish people is full of stories about what happens when a nation’s leaders start labeling a group of fellow human beings “animals” and invest their time and authority in spreading fear about them. Our history is full of stories of the violence that follows. Again and again, the President’s rhetoric has gone too far, and it is fueling the fires of hatred against immigrants -- giving license to his most radical supporters to translate his words into action. We cannot stand by as President Trump undermines people’s safety and our fundamental values. We will speak out in defense of our immigrant brothers and sisters, resist his attempts to oppress and dehumanize them, and hold accountable those others in power who are enabling this immoral agenda.”

Share this story