Trump calls out ‘Pocahontas’ while honoring WWII Navajo code talkers
President Donald Trump ruffled some feathers by once again referring to Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren as “Pocahontas.” He did so at a White House ceremony honoring the WW2 Navajo code talkers, prompting accusations of racism and insensitivity.
Trump honored three Native Americans, all in their 90s, who helped the US Marine Corps develop a secret code using the Navajo language during the Second World War.
“I just want to thank you because you’re very, very special people. You were here long before any of us were here,” Trump said. “Although we have a representative in Congress who, they say, was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas.”
Turning to the veterans, Trump added, “But, do you know what? I like you."
The president’s critics took this as a reference to Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), who controversially claimed Native American heritage in her earlier career as a college professor.
Here is white supremacist in chief making a racist Pocahontas joke in front of Native American code talkers. Just disgusting.pic.twitter.com/riCnPhvsvv
— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) November 27, 2017
During the event, Trump also referred to White House chief of staff John Kelly as “Chief,” and stood under the portrait of President Andrew Jackson, who signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830, ordering the forcible relocation of Native tribes to present-day Oklahoma. The Navajo lands are in present-day Arizona and New Mexico.
The Twittersphere was not amused.
Using an anti-Native American slur to the faces of Native Americans. Not only does Trump have no class, he has no sense of other people's dignity or lives. Sad. https://t.co/n038nWUWVQ
— Thom Hartmann (@Thom_Hartmann) November 27, 2017
Not cool:Using a historic Native American woman as an insult when honoring true American heroes like my Grandfathers who served as WWII US Marine Code Talkers. -C Deschene, US Marine Major, USMR Ret., Member Navajo Nation pic.twitter.com/y9eXh13eGR
— Chris Deschene (@chris_deschene) November 27, 2017
The stupidity of this WH never ceases to amaze me. At an event honoring Navajo code talkers the WH chose to place the podium in front a portrait of Andrew Jackson– the one who signed the Indian Removal Act which led to the deaths of thousands. #Pocahontas#Navajo#Trumppic.twitter.com/Y7coxxAY9D
— Justin (@accountable_gov) November 27, 2017
President Trump couldn’t resist rehashing his “Pocahontas” slur during an event with Navajo Code Talkers at the White House. Audio here: https://t.co/PGXYKUJ5yGpic.twitter.com/BpkVYj1r4w
— indianz.com (@indianz) November 27, 2017
These are my brothers.These are the Navajo code talkers.DON'T YOU EVER DISHONOR THEM.You don't have any honor and know nothing about service."Pocahontas"...How dare you @realDonaldTrump . pic.twitter.com/gaAzSNkiyN
— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) November 27, 2017
Trump's nickname for Warren "smacks of racism," John Norwood, general secretary of the Alliance of Colonial Era Tribes, told NBC News. “The reference is using a historic American Indian figure as a derogatory insult and that’s insulting to all American Indians.”
Norwood added that the president should “stop using our historical people of significance as a racial slur against one of his opponents.”
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders took issue with reporters who characterized the remark as a racial slur during the daily press briefing on Monday afternoon.
“I think what most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career," Sanders told reporters.
Jon Karl: Why does he feel the need to say something offensive to many people while honoring Navajo code talkers, genuine American heroes?@PressSec I think what most people find offensive is @SenWarren lying about her heritage to advance her career 👏🏻pic.twitter.com/pRy7m976uu
— EAGLE WINGS (@NIVIsa4031) November 27, 2017
Trump has repeatedly used the nickname to mock Warren, specifically her claims of Native American heritage during her time at Harvard Law School in the 1990s. Warren has recently clashed with Trump over the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She was one of the driving forces behind the agency’s establishment under the Obama administration.
The agency is currently run by dueling directors, after Trump and the outgoing director both appointed people to run the consumer watchdog. Warren is also rumored to be a contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
Pocahontas was an important historical figure, romanticized in the 1995 Disney animated feature. She was the daughter of Powhatan, the chief of a network of tribal nations in the territory called Tsenacommacah, today part of Virginia and Maryland. She was captured by English colonists in 1613 and held for ransom. During her captivity, she converted to Christianity and married a tobacco planter.
Pocahontas was presented to British society in 1616 and became a celebrity. She died the following year, of unknown causes, and was buried in England. Numerous landmarks and products in the United States have been named after her.
