1. United States
2. S.C.
3. Letter

The President of the United States used his platform to shame Muslim kindergartners for wearing hijabs to their graduation ceremony. These were five year old children in caps and gowns, celebrating one of their very first milestones. Trump posted their unblurred faces to millions of followers, amplifying a post that treated their faith as something to be alarmed by. That is not a political statement. That is the targeting of children. This kind of rhetoric has real consequences. On May 18th, two radicalized teenagers walked into the Islamic Center of San Diego and opened fire, killing three people, including two staff members from the Islamic school on the grounds where children were present. The mosque's imam said it plainly: this is what anti-Muslim rhetoric produces. Words from powerful platforms do not stay online. They reach people who act on them. As Americans, we have seen what this kind of targeting does to our communities. It emboldens hatred. It makes our children feel unsafe in the very schools that are supposed to protect them. These little girls were not doing anything wrong. They were celebrating. They were joyful. They were exactly where they were supposed to be. Every child in this country deserves to feel safe, seen, and celebrated. Not shamed by the highest office in the land. Donald Trump is showing, once again, how small, petty, vicious, and mean spirited he is. He is willing to peddle in hate, even when it puts others at risk, and he's doing in his position as President of the United States of America. This should be unacceptable to all members of Congress, regardless of party, and you should be holding him to account for his words and actions!