The USS Arizona Memorial criticized 2020 presidential candidate and Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell for a tweet that invoked Pearl Harbor to attack President Donald Trump.
“We are dismayed at the lack sensitivity to those lives lost on December 7, 1941, by a candidate for [p]resident,” the USS Arizona’s tweet read. “These attacks that caused thousands of deaths have no place in this type of political discourse.”
We are dismayed at the lack sensitivity to those lives lost on December 7, 1941 by a candidate for President. These attacks that caused thousands of deaths have no place in this type of political discourse. https://t.co/P038e9tAkX
— USSArizona (@USSArizona) May 9, 2019
The forward superstructure of the sunken battleship USS Arizona burns after the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941 … U.S. Navy/U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command/Handout via Reuters
Swalwell had tweeted the comparison in an effort to show that he thought it was ridiculous that Trump would talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin after the latter meddled in the 2016 presidential election, and argued that taking that phone call just after the Mueller report went public suggested the president was complicit in the meddling. (RELATED: Trump Has Hour-Long Phone Call With Vladimir Putin)
“Remember that time Pearl Harbor was bombed and FDR called the Emperor of Japan?” Swalwell asked. “Or the time the Twin Towers were struck and Bush ringed Osama Bin Laden? No? I don’t either. So why’d @realDonaldTrump call Putin after the Mueller Report was released? #CommanderInCheat”
Remember that time Pearl Harbor was bombed and FDR called the Emperor of Japan? Or the time the Twin Towers were struck and Bush ringed Osama Bin Laden? No? I don’t either. So why’d @realDonaldTrump call Putin after the Mueller Report was released? #CommanderInCheat
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) May 8, 2019
Trump spoke with Putin on a wide range of subjects last week, admitting to press that Russian interference in American elections was not one of the topics on the table during this particular call.