Pascrell Condemns Trump Betrayal of Hong Kong Protesters

PATERSON, NJ — This evening, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) reacted harshly to a report that Donald Trump promised Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping that his White House would not criticize the Chinese government for its violent crackdown of Hong Kong demonstrators and his repeated refusal to support the demonstrators.

“The demonstrators in Hong Kong are showing courage that has inspired the whole world. They are literally putting their lives on the line to grasp for liberty. Donald Trump’s toadying to the Chinese dictator that he would not recognize that struggle would be an unconscionable betrayal of American values.

“Donald Trump’s entire public existence is built on counterfeit machismo. Staring into the face of authoritarian brutality, he folded like a chair. He showed himself a coward. His inaction undermines those brave enough to yearn for freedom and is a grievous insult to the hard work of our ancestors who actively stood up for our liberty.”

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