What Rep. Burgess Owens doesn’t want to understand is that President Donald Trump was speaking to his base of white nationalists when he posted a meme of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes.
“Everyone makes mistakes,” is what Owens, a Black man originally from Florida, who represents Utah’s 4th Congressional District, said in reaction to the racist slur against the first Black president of the United States.
For his part, Trump said it wasn’t a mistake and he would not apologize.
Owen’s record, like those of his fellow Republicans in the state’s congressional delegation, reflects one in-lock-step with Trump. It’s hard to find any record of Owens speaking out on any of the president’s controversial moves, including Venezuela, Greenland and ICE-perpetrated violence in Minneapolis. The list is too long to enumerate here.
“I know President Trump’s heart,” Owens said. “President Trump cares about everyone, particularly those who are having a hard time.”
It’s hard to reconcile that statement when considering Trump’s budget reflected in the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” — an oxymoron if there ever was one — that takes food out of the mouths of hungry children, takes health care away from those who can least afford it, and seeks to reduce access to the voting booth, particularly in blue states.
Contrary to what Owens said, it appears that President Trump hates a lot. He foments hate against anyone and any group that won’t grovel before him. Fortunately or unfortunately for Utahns, Utah Rep. Burgess Owens is willing to make excuses for Trump no matter what.
Christopher Smart, Salt Lake City
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