Trump's ‘Pocahontas’ Jab Criticized by Navajo Code Talkers' Families, Other American Indian Officials

Families of American Indian war veterans and politicians of both major parties on Tuesday criticized President Donald Trump for using a White House event honoring Navajo Code Talkers to take a political jab at a Democratic senator he has nicknamed "Pocahontas." Trump on Monday turned to the nickname he has often deployed for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren during the 2016 presidential campaign to mock her claims about being of American Indian descent. He told the three Navajo Code Talkers on stage that he had affection for them that he doesn't have for her. "You were here long before any of us were here," Trump told them. "Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas." Trump made the comment as he stood near a portrait of President Andrew Jackson, which he hung in the Oval Office in January. Trump admires Jackson's populism. But Jackson is an unpopular figure in Indian Country because he oversaw the forced removal of American Indians from their southern homelands, known as the Trail of Tears.Trump's speech at ceremony for Navajo Code Talkers"It was uncalled for," said Marty Thompson, whose great-uncle was a Navajo Code Talker. "He can say what he wants when he's out doing his presidential business among his people, but when it comes to honoring veterans or any kind of people, he needs to grow up and quit saying things like that." Democratic New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Indian Affairs committee, said: "Donald Trump's latest racist joke — during Native American Heritage Month, no less — demeaned the contributions that the Code Talkers and countless other Native American patriots and citizens have made to our great country."   Continue reading...