The Democratic party accused Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump of racism Thursday for stating a judge with Mexican heritage could be biased against him.
The Democratic National Committee noted in a email to supporters that the presidential nominee was being racist for stating U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel has a conflict of interest because of his Mexican heritage.
“Another week on the 2016 campaign trail means another week of incredibly offensive and downright racist remarks from the Republican Party’s nominee for president,” the email obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation said. “This time, Trump went too far — questioning whether Mexican-American and Muslim-American judges can rule fairly in the court of law.”
Curiel has been tasked with presiding over a case involving Trump University, where business courses provided real estate training between 2005 and 2010. Some former students accused the business course in a lawsuit of being a scam.
The Democratic committee also denounced Republican lawmakers for accepting Trump and not addressing the racist remarks. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan, however, and other Republicans have denounced the comments.
“This behavior isn’t just politically incorrect,” the email continued. “It’s shameful, racist, and quite simply unacceptable from anyone who seeks to represent every American, in the White House or any level of public service. From every angle, Donald Trump is unworthy of the presidency.”
Trump responded Tuesday by arguing his remarks have been misconstrued.
“All judges should be held to that standard,” Trump said in a statement. “I do not feel that one’s heritage makes them incapable of being impartial, but, based on the rulings that I have received in the Trump University civil case, I feel justified in questioning whether I am receiving a fair trial.”
Trump has been called racist throughout the election because of his stance on issues like immigration, and for proposing a temporary ban on non-citizen Muslims from entering the country. He has called for more security along the Mexican border and for building a wall. Trump believes the judge has an absolute conflict of interest because of his Mexican heritage.
Trump also countered the lawsuits by noting more than 10,000 former students gave the course good reviews in a survey. He listed two former students involved in the lawsuits also gave him high marks.
Trump did not respond to a request for comment by TheDCNF.
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