DENVER –
Their comments came the morning after Hillary Clinton became the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee, with decisive wins in key states such as California and New Jersey.
The Clinton campaign organized the rally Wednesday at the Colorado Capitol, where Gov. John Hickenlooper and other prominent state Democrats were at times speechless.
Trump’s attack was lobbed at a judge in a lawsuit against Trump University. He said U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel is unable to treat the case fairly because of the judge’s Mexican heritage.
Trump has promised to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border if elected president in an effort to stop illegal immigration, which is why he believes Curiel is inherently biased.
Hickenlooper called Trump’s comment a “blatant and pointed example of racism.”
“It’s beyond my understanding of how someone can continue, without apology, to say that an individual, based on their ethnic history or ethnic heritage ... is incapable of being an unbiased judge,” Hickenlooper said. “I don’t even know what to say.”
For his part, Trump has not apologized for the controversial comment, arguing that the remark has been “misconstrued.” In some ways, he double-downed.
“I do not feel that one’s heritage makes them incapable of being impartial, but, based on the rulings that I have received in the Trump University civil case, I feel justified in questioning whether I am receiving a fair trial,” Trump said in a prepared statement.
“Given my unique circumstances as nominee of the Republican Party and the core issues of my campaign that focus on illegal immigration, jobs and unfair trade, I have concerns as to my ability to receive a fair trial.”
The anti-Trump rally Wednesday at the Capitol saw a heavy police presence, though only one protester spoke out, shouting that “Hillary Clinton is a terrorist.”
Former Denver Mayor and U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Energy Federico Peña said Trump may represent the first openly racist candidate in modern American history.
“I don’t think in my adult life, in my public career, I have ever accused any fellow American of being racist. Today, I am,” Peña said.
For Republican U.S. Senate candidates in Colorado, Trump remains a shadow they can’t escape. At a debate Tuesday evening, each of the five candidates condemned Trump’s remarks, though the door was left open for Trump to apologize, as the candidates have previously said they will support the Republican nominee.
Democrats have been able to harness anger toward Trump to fuel attacks against other Republican candidates.
“Did he really think we would stay silent and not stand up for America?” asked Senate Minority Leader Lucia Guzman, D-Denver, who believes Trump will help Democrats take control of the state Senate. “We are patriotic Americans of Mexican descent, and we are not prey to the uneducated, un-American and barbaric behaviors of Donald Trump.”
pmarcus@durangoherald.com
