Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-20) issued the following statement on President Donald J. Trump’s ongoing criticism of four Democratic Congresswomen: Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York:

“I am beyond disappointed in what is occurring nationally right now. A sitting President has singled out four Congresswomen because of their policies, their heritage and their age. Each of them was elected by their constituents, breaking barriers in these exact same areas.

“What’s going on in Washington affects us all. Yes, each of us, as Americans, has the right of free speech.  It does not matter the color of your skin or gender, all Americans enjoy these same privileges. However, The President’s criticism seems to know no boundaries and is providing a false sense of privilege to many who feel that it’s okay to say anything or attack a person with whom they disagree.

“America is a country of immigrants. Many have come here looking for a better life for his or her family. The current political discourse over Congresswomen Omar, Tlaib, Pressley and Ocasio-Cortez is divisive, disruptive and demeaning to this nation’s democratic principles.

“Every day in municipalities, county government and state houses across the country open, frank discussions occur about policies. I’ve always believed forging good policy requires open dialog from different perspectives. This is not the cooperation we are seeing in Washington today.”