Here's What McConnell Thinks of Trump's Tweets

Mitch McConnell had been refusing to comment on President Trump's controversial tweets about four congresswomen of color, but the Senate majority leader weighed in Tuesday afternoon, CNN and the AP report. "The president is not a racist," McConnell declared. He continued:

• "Political rhetoric has really gotten way, way overheated all across the political spectrum. ... We've heard facilities on the US Border called concentration camps. We've seen the far left throw accusations of racism at everyone. Anyone who disagrees with them on anything, including the Speaker of the House." Lately, "the most vile accusations and insults against our nation have become incredibly routine," he said, going on to reference former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia: "[Scalia] said 'I don't attack people, I attack ideas,' and I think that's a good lesson for all of us. From the president to the speaker, to freshman members of the House, all of us have a responsibility to elevate the public discourse."

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives began debating a resolution to condemn Trump's "racist comments," and the AP reports Trump called on fellow Republicans to oppose the resolution and "not show weakness." (Much more on the resolution, and more of the latest on the controversy, here.)