Brooklyn Boro

Trump’s words disappoint Brooklyn Teen Republican Club

The Organization Calls for Both Parties to Unite in Condemning Racism

August 17, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Brooklyn Teen Republican Club with club President Batya Goldberg (center, sitting down). Photos courtesy of Batya Goldberg
Share this:

President Donald Trump’s response to the horrific events that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia over the weekend seem to have infuriated Americans on both sides of the political aisle, including the Brooklyn Teen Republican Club (BTRC).

Trump’s failure to strongly condemn the nationalists that were in Charlottesville to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate Civil War General Robert E. Lee, and the hate groups that were associated with the movement, have plunged Trump’s ratings to an all-time low, and caused a schism within groups and members of his own party.

While Trump condemned the violence in Charlottesville, calling it an “egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence,” he added that there was hatred and violence “on many sides.”

Subscribe to our newsletters

Even former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush offered a joint statement condemning Trump’s assertion that both sides shared the blame for the violent events that occurred. The Bushes’ statement read, “America must always reject radical bigotry, anti-Semitism and hatred in all forms.”

In Brooklyn, Democratic lawmakers condemned the incident and U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke referred to it as “an act of domestic terrorism committed by white supremacists whose despicable beliefs represent the worst of American history.”

On Wednesday, Batya Goldberg, president of the BTRC sent out a letter on behalf of herself and her organization voicing her disappointment with what Trump failed to emphasize.

The statement read, “We, the members of the Brooklyn Teen Republican Club, have unanimously agreed on our opinions regarding the press conference made yesterday by President Trump.

“The comments made on Monday, condemning neo-Nazis, white supremacists and the Kux Klux Klan by President Trump were powerful and uplifting. Yet, during the press conference yesterday, President Trump seemed to backtrack on Monday’s comments and to trivialize the vile, atrocious, racist, Anti-Semitic and violent characteristics of neo-Nazi, white supremacist and KKK organizations.”

The letter went on to condemn any type of display of racism, anti-Semitism or violence, noting, “The Brooklyn Teen Republican Club feels President Trump has failed to do so.”

Furthermore, the BTRC called for a show of unity between “both Democrats on the left and Republicans on the right to unite in condemning racism in any shape or form in the modern 21st century in the USA.”

The letter was signed, “In disappointment, Members of the Brooklyn Teen Republican Club, and Club President Batya Goldberg.”

Goldberg shared her views with the Brooklyn Eagle. “As an individual Republican, conservative Jew I cannot support a statement made by a sitting president, which clearly back tracks on their condemnation of neo-Nazi, KKK and white supremacist groups,” said Goldberg.

“These statements to do not identify with what I believe, as I think the president should have immediately after the protests in Charlottesville condemned the groups, as did countless other Republicans and conservatives.”

Goldberg explained that when she brought this issue to her club, the members unanimously said they agree with her and believed the president should be more outspoken against hate groups.

She wants Trump to “make clear to all Americans, especially people our age, that racism or anti-Semitism will not be tolerated in our country.”

Goldberg said that as Republicans and conservatives, she and her group will support the president when he executes actions concurrent with the party and its political beliefs, but adds, “Supporting a president blindly and agreeing with everything a president does, is dangerous and ineffective.”


Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment