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National Cathedral Rebukes Trump for ‘Dangerous’ Attacks on Black Lawmaker

National Cathedral Rebukes Trump for ‘Dangerous’ Attacks on Black Lawmaker

(Bloomberg) -- The Washington National Cathedral’s religious leaders rebuked President Donald Trump for his racially divisive attacks on a prominent African-American lawmaker, an unusual step for an institution known for staying above the political fray.

In a statement Tuesday, the leaders called Trump’s rhetoric “dangerous” and said it amounted to a “call to action” for white supremacists, warning that “violent words lead to violent actions.”

“As faith leaders who serve at Washington National Cathedral -- the sacred space where America gathers at moments of national significance -- we feel compelled to ask: After two years of President Trump’s words and actions, when will Americans have enough?” the leaders said.

Trump has inflamed racial tensions with tirades against Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings, the House Oversight chairman, who represents a majority-black Maryland district that Trump called a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess.” He also heaped insults on civil rights activist Al Sharpton who had traveled to Baltimore to defend Cummings, calling him a “con man” who “hates whites.”

Earlier this month, Trump drew similar criticism after he suggested that four Democratic lawmakers -- all women of color -- “go back” to “crime infested places from which they came.”

“These words are more than a ‘dog-whistle,”’ the leaders said. “When such violent dehumanizing words come from the President of the United States, they are a clarion call, and give cover, to white supremacists who consider people of color a sub-human “infestation” in America.”

The statement didn’t cite Cummings by name. It was signed by Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington; Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral; and Kelly Brown Douglas, the Cathedral’s canon theologian.

The leaders urged the American public to take a stand against “the bigotry, hatred, intolerance, and xenophobia that is hurled at us, especially when it comes from the highest offices of this nation.”

More than half of registered voters now believe the president is racist, according to a poll Quinnipiac University released on Tuesday. That includes 80% of black voters, 55% of Hispanic voters and nearly six in 10 female voters.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jennifer Jacobs in Washington at jjacobs68@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alex Wayne at awayne3@bloomberg.net, Joshua Gallu, Michael Shepard

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