President Trump caused a stir on Monday (November 27) when he used a White House ceremony held in honor of WWII heroes, the Navajo code talkers, to take a shot at political rival Sen. Elizabeth Warren by mockingly referring to her as "Pocahontas" once again.
"I just want to thank you because you are very, very special people. You were here long before any of us were here. Although, we have a representative in Congress who has been here a long time ... longer than you. They call her Pocahontas," the President quipped. The room looked on in silence as Trump followed the joke up with a pat on one of the code talker's shoulders, and assurance that he views them as special.
Many who have watched the moment play out in the hours since it went viral have pointed out that in addition to Trump trivializing the 17th Century indigenous hero, the spot that was chosen for the ceremony to take place sits under a portrait of 7th U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Historians confirm that Jackson was in part recognized for signing the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
The Indian Removal Act was a piece of legislation that led to 17,000 Cherokee Indians being forced from Georgia at gunpoint. It is viewed in retrospect as a historical tragedy that ultimately led to the genocidal "Trail of Tears" in American history.
Source: YouTube
