But Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, was until recently such a fan of the national memorial that she wanted to wear it as a symbol of her patriotism, Washington Examiner Jerry Dunleavy noted.
Then: Duckworth tweeted on July 4, 2015 that she planned to dress up as Mount Rushmore for the next Fourth of July.
Duckworth was at the time a congresswoman for Illinois, known for combining a progressive policy platform with unapologetic patriotism."Remember that the President at Mt. Rushmore was standing on ground that was stolen from Native Americans who had actually been given that land during a treaty."
— JERRY DUNLEAVY (@JerryDunleavy) July 5, 2020
—Tammy Duckworth (July 5, 2020)
I wonder what changed in the past 5 years...
(This is why I love the Veepstakes btw) https://t.co/jnXtzGJGLe
Now: The now-senator, who is reportedly a top contender for the Democratic vice presidential nomination, appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" and criticized Trump for his July Fourth celebration at Mount Rushmore.
- Duckworth dodged when asked to comment on anti-racism protesters who have torn down statues of American founders, like George Washington, and pivoted back to bashing Trump.
- "Remember that the president at Mt. Rushmore was standing on ground that was stolen from Native Americans who had actually been given that land during a treaty," she said.
Pressed by host Dana Bash on whether presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden needs to choose a black woman as his running mate, Duckworth did not offer a definitive response.Sen. Tammy Duckworth on President Trump's Mt. Rushmore speech where he defended Confederate monuments: "His priorities are wrong. What are we going to do to push Russia back? Instead, he had no time for that. He spent all his time talking about dead traitors" #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/Qs6bzdGGY3
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 5, 2020
- Biden “needs to make his own mind and will make his own mind,” she said.
- Duckworth is Thai American.
- She did not respond to request for comment.
