Trump Backs Down on Criticizing Judge

 

Trump-CurielAfter days of attacks on the judge presiding over the Trump University lawsuit, the presumptive GOP nominee has announced that he is done making comments on the case. Donald Trump’s recent criticism of U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel created a significant backlash from conservative pundits, legal commentators, and elected GOP officeholders.

On Tuesday, Sen. Mark Kirk (R–IL) retracted his endorsement of Trump, while Sen. Jeff Flake (R–AZ) stated that the attacks on Curiel could spur a challenge to his nomination at the GOP Convention. RNC chairman Reince Preibus privately told Trump to back off his attacks on the judge. In response to the controversy, Trump released a statement Tuesday afternoon:

It is unfortunate that my comments have been misconstrued as a categorical attack against people of Mexican heritage. I am friends with and employ thousands of people of Mexican and Hispanic descent. The American justice system relies on fair and impartial judges. All judges should be held to that standard. I do not feel that one’s heritage makes them incapable of being impartial, but, based on the rulings that I have received in the Trump University civil case, I feel justified in questioning whether I am receiving a fair trial.

Claiming that some of his best friends are Mexicans seems as tone deaf as praising “my African American,” but it is interesting to see Trump make a rare attempt to back down from controversy. He spends the rest of his statement insisting that his real estate training program was above board and that he is innocent of any wrongdoing in the pending lawsuit. He also attempts to recast his previous complaints in less racial terms:

Normally, legal issues in a civil case would be heard in a neutral environment. However, given my unique circumstances as nominee of the Republican Party and the core issues of my campaign that focus on illegal immigration, jobs and unfair trade, I have concerns as to my ability to receive a fair trial.

I am fighting hard to bring jobs back to the United States. Many companies – like Ford, Nabisco, Carrier – are moving production to Mexico. Drugs and illegal immigrants are also pouring across our border. This is bad for all Americans, regardless of their heritage.

Due to what I believe are unfair and mistaken rulings in this case and the Judge’s reported associations with certain professional organizations, questions were raised regarding the Obama appointed Judge’s impartiality. It is a fair question. I hope it is not the case.

While this lawsuit should have been dismissed, it is now scheduled for trial in November. I do not intend to comment on this matter any further. With all of the thousands of people who have given the courses such high marks and accolades, we will win this case!

We’ll see over the next few days if Trump honors his commitment to keep quiet about Judge Curiel and the Trump University lawsuit.

Update: Oh well, that commitment lasted six hours.

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  1. tabula rasa Inactive
    tabula rasa
    @tabularasa

    Please let this year be over soon.

    When leaders of the nominee’s party have to say publicly that the man is a racist, and then reiterate their support for him, it is a very, very bad sign (or, if you’re Hillary Clinton, a very, very good sign).

    • #1
  2. Reldim Inactive
    Reldim
    @Reldim

    So he actually doesn’t walk back any of his comments. He still thinks the judge is biased because of his ethnicity. Why else would the “core issues of his campaign” be a problem for a judge hearing the case?

    More Republicans – not just elected officials and “establishment” types – need to work to raise the revolt. Go to the mattresses – it may mean losing the White House this cycle but the alternative is to effectively make the Republican Party so toxic it will possibly be unable to win again.

    • #2
  3. GFHandle Member
    GFHandle
    @GFHandle

    Now: “He is biased AND he is of Mexican heritage.”

    Then: “He is biased BECAUSE he is of Mexican heritage.”

    Sister Diversity: “He is biased BECAUSE he is white and privileged.”

    Trump got his premise at a college near you, not at Trump U.

    • #3
  4. Frozen Chosen Inactive
    Frozen Chosen
    @FrozenChosen

    Jonah Goldberg said it best when discussing this issue,

    Trump is not battling identity politics here, or even undermining it. Trump is capitulating to it, and bringing the Republican party along with him. Sure, it’s interesting, even entertaining, to watch Trump use the logic of identity politics against its entrenched practitioners. But he’s not condemning this way of thinking, he’s embracing it.

    Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/corner

    • #4
  5. inmateprof Inactive
    inmateprof
    @inmateprof

    Normally this thing is bad.  It would last weeks on the news cycle.  However, how many times have the pundits said this would derail the Trump train.  Thus, I say it won’t do much at all.  All he needs to do is keep showing violent protests and the waving of the Mexican flag and everything will get back to normal.

    • #5
  6. inmateprof Inactive
    inmateprof
    @inmateprof

    Reldim:So he actually doesn’t walk back any of his comments. He still thinks the judge is biased because of his ethnicity. Why else would the “core issues of his campaign” be a problem for a judge hearing the case?

    More Republicans – not just elected officials and “establishment” types – need to work to raise the revolt. Go to the mattresses – it may mean losing the White House this cycle but the alternative is to effectively make the Republican Party so toxic it will possibly be unable to win again.

    This is a bit dramatic.  How many Hispanics voted for us the last few cycles?  25%? 27%?  We’ve tried courting them and they rejected us.  We’ve tried “getting the message out.”  We’ve put Rubio, Cruz, and Martinez in prominent positions in the party.  We’ve told ourselves because they are pro-life and hard working that they would have a lot in common with us.  It hasn’t worked, none of it.  So, this is going to end up as a nothing burger.

    • #6
  7. Salvatore Padula Inactive
    Salvatore Padula
    @SalvatorePadula

    inmateprof:

    Reldim:So he actually doesn’t walk back any of his comments. He still thinks the judge is biased because of his ethnicity. Why else would the “core issues of his campaign” be a problem for a judge hearing the case?

    More Republicans – not just elected officials and “establishment” types – need to work to raise the revolt. Go to the mattresses – it

    This is a bit dramatic. How many Hispanics voted for us the last few cycles? 25%? 27%? We’ve tried courting them and they rejected us. We’ve tried “getting the message out.” We’ve put Rubio, Cruz, and Martinez in prominent positions in the party. We’ve told ourselves because they are pro-life and hard working that they would have a lot in common with us. It hasn’t worked, none of it. So, this is going to end up as a nothing burger.

    Pro-immigration W got 44% of the Hispanic vote in 2004. Since the GOP decided to torpedo his immigration plan and to embrace unhelpful rhetoric on the issue, they have done much worse. Trump used to recognize this. He criticized Romney’s stance on immigration as being “too harsh.” Hispanics are the largest growing segment of the electorate. You can say the GOP is destined to lose them by the historically large Romneyesque margin of 28-72, but if that’s the case, you’re saying the GOP is destined to lose national elections from now on.

    • #7
  8. Fritz Coolidge
    Fritz
    @Fritz

    The reports are all over the place, and as usual the actual truth seems harder and harder to suss out from all the furor. Yes, it was a stupid move on Trump’s part to start this, and now he wants to downplay it. Fine.

    But as an attorney I am curious now: Is the judge involved with La Raza? If so, then that is indeed cause for concern.

    La Raza or at least local chapters thereof have asserted fairly radical positions in the not distant past, such as that large swaths of our nation, California, Arizona and New Mexico and more, were “stolen” from Mexico and should revert. That is not merely promoting the interests of people of Latino or Hispanic heritage.

    Here is an article from Human Events in 2006 on this issue. Just because it is politically damaging doesn’t mean Trump had no grounds for his concern, nor does it mean he is a racist.

    I am no fan of Trump’s but I do treasure the independence and integrity of the judiciary.

    • #8
  9. Herbert Member
    Herbert
    @Herbert

    inmateprof:Normally this thing is bad. It would last weeks on the news cycle. However, how many times have the pundits said this would derail the Trump train. Thus, I say it won’t do much at all. All he needs to do is keep showing violent protests and the waving of the Mexican flag and everything will get back to normal.

    I agree that it will be over in a couple more news cycles, but does anyone think that in the next 72 hours the Donald will not say something stupid about something that annoys him….

    • #9
  10. DocJay Inactive
    DocJay
    @DocJay

    Well the man is solidifying the all important White vote.

    I’m curious how he plays in swing state Nevada.  I’m sure the Hispanic population here will hear plenty more about Trump in the coming months.   There’s one thing I’m positive will influence Nevada Hispanics more than worrying about immigration and racist remarks: Jobs.   Jobs that allow adults to feel the honor of providing for their families.   Whoever sells economic opportunity better here will win, especially since dingy Harry’s corruption machine has winded down.

    • #10
  11. Valiuth Member
    Valiuth
    @Valiuth

    inmateprof:Normally this thing is bad. It would last weeks on the news cycle. However, how many times have the pundits said this would derail the Trump train. Thus, I say it won’t do much at all. All he needs to do is keep showing violent protests and the waving of the Mexican flag and everything will get back to normal.

    Well I think it is possible that this will have no impact on his supporters and it will have no impact on his detractors. It just solidifies the two camps. The question is does he have enough support already to actually win? Clearly he had enough to win the Republican Primary, but a general election? I guess we will see.

    • #11
  12. BD Member
    BD
    @

    At least Ricochet mentioned that Buzzfeed gave back the ad dollars from the RNC.  National Review hates Trump so much that they buried the story.

    • #12
  13. Nick Stuart Inactive
    Nick Stuart
    @NickStuart

    tabula rasa:Please let this year be over soon.

    When leaders of the nominee’s party have to say publicly that the man is a racist, and then reiterate their support for him, it is a very, very bad sign (or, if you’re Hillary Clinton, a very, very good sign).

    Linguini-spined Republicans always back down. They couldn’t just shut up and let this burn out. They had to fall all over themselves denouncing the person they’re going to need to win the White House.

    When a Democrat says something equally stupid (“Bitter clingers” “Punish your enemies” “High cheekbones” “I did not have sex, with that woman”) their party circles the wagons and defends him/her.

    “Oh, we’re better than that, we operate from a higher moral plane.” Well [redact] that, we absolutely cannot afford to have the Clinton Crime Family in control of the Executive Branch. It would be awesome if the Republicans acted and fought like they wanted to win for once.

    This is not going to go away, Republican office holders and commentators have given the media plenty of ammunition and this is going to be a staple of its coverage from now until November.

    • #13
  14. Marion Evans Inactive
    Marion Evans
    @MarionEvans

    He sure complains a lot… about everything.

    • #14
  15. Mike LaRoche Inactive
    Mike LaRoche
    @MikeLaRoche

    Salvatore Padula:

    inmateprof:

    Reldim:So he actually doesn’t walk back any of his comments. He still thinks the judge is biased because of his ethnicity. Why else would the “core issues of his campaign” be a problem for a judge hearing the case?

    More Republicans – not just elected officials and “establishment” types – need to work to raise the revolt. Go to the mattresses – it

    This is a bit dramatic. How many Hispanics voted for us the last few cycles? 25%? 27%? We’ve tried courting them and they rejected us. We’ve tried “getting the message out.” We’ve put Rubio, Cruz, and Martinez in prominent positions in the party. We’ve told ourselves because they are pro-life and hard working that they would have a lot in common with us. It hasn’t worked, none of it. So, this is going to end up as a nothing burger.

    Pro-immigration W got 44% of the Hispanic vote in 2004. Since the GOP decided to torpedo his immigration plan and to embrace unhelpful rhetoric on the issue, they have done much worse. Trump used to recognize this. He criticized Romney’s stance on immigration as being “too harsh.” Hispanics are the largest growing segment of the electorate. You can say the GOP is destined to lose them by the historically large Romneyesque margin of 28-72, but if that’s the case, you’re saying the GOP is destined to lose national elections from now on.

    Immigration is not why Hispanics vote Democrat.

    • #15
  16. BD Member
    BD
    @

    NR’s Kevin Williamson on Twitter: “Curiel sounds like he’d be a better Republican presidential candidate than Trump”.

    National Review, that bastion of conservatism, pushing a guy who is a member of a La Raza affiliated organization.

    • #16
  17. Mike LaRoche Inactive
    Mike LaRoche
    @MikeLaRoche

    BD:NR’s Kevin Williamson on Twitter: “Curiel sounds like he’d be a better Republican presidential candidate than Trump”.

    National Review, that bastion of conservatism, pushing a guy who is a member of a La Raza affiliated organization.

    National Review has gone to the dogs.

    • #17
  18. inmateprof Inactive
    inmateprof
    @inmateprof

    Pro-immigration W got 44% of the Hispanic vote in 2004. Since the GOP decided to torpedo his immigration plan and to embrace unhelpful rhetoric on the issue, they have done much worse. Trump used to recognize this. He criticized Romney’s stance on immigration as being “too harsh.” Hispanics are the largest growing segment of the electorate. You can say the GOP is destined to lose them by the historically large Romneyesque margin of 28-72, but if that’s the case, you’re saying the GOP is destined to lose national elections from now on.

    You are correct about W and the Hispanics supporting him.  I’m assuming that is an outlier.  By stopping the flow of immigrants, we decrease the number of Democrat voters entering the country.  That’s the rationale. Hillary wants to give citizenship/amnesty and chain immigration rights to as many as forty million people (if you include the family reunification), most of whom would vote Democrat.  If that happens, no candidate with an R by his/her name will win, no matter his/her stance and demeanor.

    They tried to tinker with the message to sound sweet about it.  For example, every GOP candidate said “I’m for LEGAL immigration.”  Or, “We need to REFORM the system.”  In other words, we were trying to solve a problem and not offend the group (immigrants) that would be affected by solving said problem.  It didn’t and won’t work.  Solve the problem, then we can be nice.

    • #18
  19. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    BD:NR’s Kevin Williamson on Twitter: “Curiel sounds like he’d be a better Republican presidential candidate than Trump”.

    National Review, that bastion of conservatism, pushing a guy who is a member of a La Raza affiliated organization.

    You might want to read the article to which the tweet refers, so when someone defends Curiel based on the cases it details, you have a counter-argument.

    It’s not by Williamson.

    • #19
  20. BD Member
    BD
    @

    James Lileks: My counter-argument is that Curiel is a member of a La Raza-affiliated organization.  Case closed.  I’m guessing there were members of the German-American Bund that may have done something admirable, but so what, it was still a creepy racialist organization.

    • #20
  21. Robert McReynolds Member
    Robert McReynolds
    @

    Mike LaRoche:

    Salvatore Padula:

    Pro-immigration W got 44% of the Hispanic vote in 2004. Since the GOP decided to torpedo his immigration plan and to embrace unhelpful rhetoric on the issue, they have done much worse. Trump used to recognize this. He criticized Romney’s stance on immigration as being “too harsh.” Hispanics are the largest growing segment of the electorate. You can say the GOP is destined to lose them by the historically large Romneyesque margin of 28-72, but if that’s the case, you’re saying the GOP is destined to lose national elections from now on.

    Immigration is not why Hispanics vote Democrat.

    This is so true. If only more people knew who the hell Heather MacDonald was.

    • #21
  22. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: On Tuesday, Sen. Mark Kirk (R–IL) retracted his endorsement of Trump …

    That’s going to hurt. Kirk’s endorsement is worth dozens of votes.

    • #22
  23. Salvatore Padula Inactive
    Salvatore Padula
    @SalvatorePadula

    Mike LaRoche:

    Salvatore Padula:

    inmateprof:

    Reldim:So he actually doesn’t walk back any of his comments. He still thinks the judge is biased because of his ethnicity. Why

    This is a bit dramatic. How many Hispanics voted for us the last few cycles? 25%? 27%? We’ve tried courting them and they rejected us. We’ve tried “getting the message out.” We’ve put Rubio, Cruz, and Martinez in prominent positions in the party. We’ve told ourselves because they are pro-life and hard working that they would have a lot in common with us. It hasn’t worked, none of it. So, this is going to end up as a nothing burger.

    Pro-immigration W got 44% of the Hispanic vote in 2004. Since the GOP decided to torpedo his immigration plan and to embrace unhelpful rhetoric on the issue, they have done much worse. Trump used to recognize this. He criticized Romney’s stance on immigration as being “too harsh.” Hispanics are the largest growing segment of the electorate. You can say the GOP is destined to lose them by the historically large Romneyesque margin of 28-72, but if that’s the case, you’re saying the GOP is destined to lose national elections from now on.

    Immigration is not why Hispanics vote Democrat.

    You’re right. It’s why they don’t even consider voting Republican.

    • #23
  24. Salvatore Padula Inactive
    Salvatore Padula
    @SalvatorePadula

    Percival:

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: On Tuesday, Sen. Mark Kirk (R–IL) retracted his endorsement of Trump …

    That’s going to hurt. Kirk’s endorsement is worth dozens of votes.

    It’s not that Kirk’s endorsement will gain Donald votes. It’s that Kirk (who despite not being nearly as conservative as one may desire, is a smart politician) has determined that supporting Trump actually hurts his chances of reelection. It will be interesting to see how many of his colleagues make that choice as the election nears.

    • #24
  25. Mike LaRoche Inactive
    Mike LaRoche
    @MikeLaRoche

    Salvatore Padula:

    Mike LaRoche:

    Salvatore Padula:

    inmateprof:

    Reldim:So he actually doesn’t walk back any of his comments. He still thinks the judge is biased because of his ethnicity. Why

    This is a bit dramatic. How many Hispanics voted for us the last few cycles? 25%? 27%? We’ve tried courting them and they rejected us. We’ve tried “getting the message out.” We’ve put Rubio, Cruz, and Martinez in prominent positions in the party. We’ve told ourselves because they are pro-life and hard working that they would have a lot in common with us. It hasn’t worked, none of it. So, this is going to end up as a nothing burger.

    Pro-immigration W got 44% of the Hispanic vote in 2004. Since the GOP decided to torpedo his immigration plan and to embrace unhelpful rhetoric on the issue, they have done much worse. Trump used to recognize this. He criticized Romney’s stance on immigration as being “too harsh.” Hispanics are the largest growing segment of the electorate. You can say the GOP is destined to lose them by the historically large Romneyesque margin of 28-72, but if that’s the case, you’re saying the GOP is destined to lose national elections from now on.

    Immigration is not why Hispanics vote Democrat.

    You’re right. It’s why they don’t even consider voting Republican.

    Not true.

    • #25
  26. Frank Soto Member
    Frank Soto
    @FrankSoto

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: Claiming that some of his best friends are Mexicans seems as tone deaf as praising “my African American,” but it is interesting to see Trump make a rare attempt to back down from controversy.

    It’s not rare at all.  He frequently walks back his comments days later.

    • #26
  27. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Salvatore Padula:

    Percival:

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: On Tuesday, Sen. Mark Kirk (R–IL) retracted his endorsement of Trump …

    That’s going to hurt. Kirk’s endorsement is worth dozens of votes.

    It’s not that Kirk’s endorsement will gain Donald votes. It’s that Kirk (who despite not being nearly as conservative as one may desire, is a smart politician) has determined that supporting Trump actually hurts his chances of reelection. It will be interesting to see how many of his colleagues make that choice as the election nears.

    Sal, your chances of being elected Senator from Illinois are only slightly less than Kirk’s.

    • #27
  28. BD Member
    BD
    @

    Bill Kristol: “How should Mitt Romney respond to insults from [Trump, Gingrich, Huckabee]?  He should run as an independent and win.”

    As long as Romney takes a position on immigration similar to the one he did in 2012, I’m on board.

    • #28
  29. Salvatore Padula Inactive
    Salvatore Padula
    @SalvatorePadula

    Mike LaRoche: Not true.

    Okay, I’m. Not going to argue with you about the cause of the GOP’s catastrophically poor popularity among Hispanics. I voted today. I voted as a registered Republican. I’ve been one all my adult life. I’ll probably keep my party affiliation through November’s election. If Trump wins I’ll be done with the GOP (in any case my advice for the GOP won’t be worth much as a Trump victory will be proof I’m wrong). We’ll see how it goes.

    • #29
  30. Nick Stuart Inactive
    Nick Stuart
    @NickStuart

    Salvatore Padula:

    Percival:

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: On Tuesday, Sen. Mark Kirk (R–IL) retracted his endorsement of Trump …

    That’s going to hurt. Kirk’s endorsement is worth dozens of votes.

    It’s not that Kirk’s endorsement will gain Donald votes. It’s that Kirk (who despite not being nearly as conservative as one may desire, is a smart politician) has determined that supporting Trump actually hurts his chances of reelection. It will be interesting to see how many of his colleagues make that choice as the election nears.

    Kirk never misses a chance to stick his finger straight in the eye of Republican voters. It’s possible this will cost him as many votes as it gains him.

    • #30
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