Durbin Grills Homeland Security Chief on Trump’s Use of Vulgar Language

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said Tuesday she “did not remember” the specific vulgarities used by President Donald Trump in a meeting last week, saying profanity was used by almost everyone in the room.

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In that meeting, according to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and multiple reports, Trump referred to Haiti and countries in Africa with vulgar language, indicating he didn’t want immigrants from those nations in the U.S., but would prefer more Europeans. 

“I don’t remember a specific word,” Nielsen told a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday. “What I was struck with frankly – as I’m sure you were as well – was the general profanity that was used in the room by almost everyone.”

Nielsen conceded that Durbin was not among those who used profanity but said she did recall Sen. Lindsey Graham using “tough language” when questioned by Durbin.

“He used tough language. He was impassioned. I think he was feeling very strongly about the issue – as was everyone in the room – and to underscore a point, I think he was using some strong language,” Nielsen said.

When questioned by Durbin if she remembered Graham was repeating the exact language used by the president, Nielsen said, “I remember specific cuss words being used by a variety of members.”

Responding to Nielsen’s comments, Durbin said he would not ask her to use the specific words she heard.

“But I will say just for the record Sen. Graham spoke up in a way that I respect very much, countering what the president had said about countries in Africa, reminding the president that his family did not come to America with great skills or wealth, but they came here as most families do looking for a chance to prove themselves and make this a better nation,” Durbin said. “In defense of Sen. Graham, his strong words repeated exactly the words used by president, which you cannot remember.” 

Contact Kristen Thometz: @kristenthometz | [email protected] | (773) 509-5452


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