US House minority leader calls Trump's address 'disgrace'

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHIGTON (AA) - US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized President Donald Trump on Wednesday, calling his address to Congress “a disgrace."

"That was a disgraceful performance, Donald Trump hit a new low," Jeffries told reporters in the state of Virginia.

His remarks came one day after Trump delivered the longest address of his presidency to Congress, about one hour and 47 minutes, declaring the US is "winning again," while highlighting what he described as his administration’s major accomplishments.

The Democratic leader argued that the address lacked substance and failed to outline a forward-looking agenda.

"He didn't communicate anything meaningful to the American people. There was no substance in that speech, but a lot of snake oil, no vision for the future of the country, but a lot of vitriol," Jeffries said.

During Trump's speech, Jeffries said there were no policy prescriptions designed to make life better for everyday Americans, "but it was full of partisanship."

"At State of the Union, speech by Donald Trump was a disgrace," he added.

- 'It's unpresidential, unpatriotic and un-American'

When asked about the Democratic response to Trump’s speech, Jeffries said it was “appropriately restrained and forceful.”

Congressman Al Green was escorted out of the chamber Tuesday at the outset of the president’s address after raising a protest sign that read, “Black people aren’t apes," referring to a video shared by Trump on his Truth Social platform earlier this month that included imagery portraying former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes.

Jeffries said Green's response was "both appropriate and restrained."

"Now, his message that he communicated was obviously on point," he said.

When asked about Trump's demand for the rapid deportation of two female Muslim members of Congress, Jeffries said it is "the xenophobic rhetoric" of Trump directed at two members of the House of Representatives.

"It's sadly not surprising, but it's disgraceful. It's unpresidential, unpatriotic and un-American, but that's Donald Trump," he added.

Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar repeatedly shouted at Trump during his address, rebuking him for the deaths of Americans at the hands of federal immigration officers.