Donald Trump rages at Nancy Pelosi after attack in 'racist' row over Elijah Cummings

Mr Trump accused the Democrats of playing the “race card” after the US President was widely condemned for calling Mr Cummings’s Baltimore district a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess”. Following the comments from the divisive US president, Ms Pelosi who was born in Baltimore – went on the offensive and described Mr Cummings as “a champion in the Congress and the country for civil rights and economic justice, a beloved leader in Baltimore, and deeply valued colleague”. She added: “We all reject racist attacks against him and support his steadfast leadership.”

The commander-in-chief has dismissed any suggestions his comments were racist and insisted he was referring to the “very poor job” Mr Cummings has done in the district.

Mr Trump urged critics to take a look at the facts and pointed to his record on employment for African-Americans in the US.

According to the latest American Community Survey (ACS), Baltimore has a population of more than 600,000, with more than 62 percent of people with black or African-American origin.

Mr Trump wrote on Twitter: “Someone please explain to Nancy Pelosi, who was recently called racist by those in her own party, that there is nothing wrong with bringing out the very obvious fact that Congressman Elijah Cummings has done a very poor job for his district and the City of Baltimore.”

He added: “Just take a look, the facts speak far louder than words! The Democrats always play the Race Card, when in fact they have done so little for our Nation’s great African American people.

“Now, lowest unemployment in U.S. history, and only getting better. Elijah Cummings has failed badly!”

Mr Trump went on to condemn Ms Pelosi’s record in the House of Representatives and called for an end to the “Witch Hunt Hoax” against him from the Democrats.

He added: “Speaking of failing badly, has anyone seen what is happening to Nancy Pelosi’s district in San Francisco. It is not even recognisable lately. Something must be done before it is too late.

“The Dems should stop wasting time on the Witch Hunt Hoax and start focusing on our Country!”

Mr Cummings, who is also chairman of the House oversight committee, is currently tasked with leading investigations of the US President’s Governmental dealings.

On Thursday the committee voted along party lines to authorise subpoenas for personal emails and texts used for official business by top White House aides, including Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner.

Mr Trump’s latest assault comes two weeks after he sparked nationwide controversy with tweets directed at four congresswomen.

However, after spending several hours on his private golf course in Virginia, Mr Trump repeated the attack on Mr Cummings, he wrote on Twitter: “Elijah Cummings spends all of his time trying to hurt innocent people through ‘Oversight.

“He does NOTHING for his very poor, very dangerous and very badly run district!”

Mr Cummings responded to the US President and insisted he works tirelessly to defend the people of Maryland.

He wrote: “Mr. President, I go home to my district daily. Each morning, I wake up, and I go and fight for my neighbours.

“It is my constitutional duty to conduct oversight of the Executive Branch. But, it is my moral duty to fight for my constituents.”

source: express.co.uk