NRCC Criticized for Comments on Hispanic Congressman

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) faced strong criticism after labeling Representative Adriano Espaillat, a naturalized U.S. citizen and chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, as an 'illegal immigrant' on social media. This attack followed Espaillat's Spanish-language response to President Trump's congressional address, where he criticized Trump’s immigration policies. The comment sparked backlash from Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who condemned the statement as 'disgusting,' and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who called it 'vile, ignorant, and racist.' Espaillat, originally from the Dominican Republic, became a U.S. citizen more than 40 years ago after his family initially overstayed their visas but soon obtained green cards. The NRCC defended their post, arguing that Democrats focus more on words than on border security issues. This incident highlights ongoing tensions and accusations of racism within U.S. political discourse, particularly concerning immigration policy.