News

Trump Blasts ‘Corrupt’ Puerto Rican Officials As Protesters Call For Gov. Ricardo Rossello’s Resignation

President Donald Trump went after Puerto Rico’s “corrupt” government officials Thursday on Twitter, as San Juan has become mired in protests over the last few days.

“The Governor is under siege, the Mayor of San Juan is a despicable and incompetent person who I wouldn’t trust under any circumstance, and the United States Congress foolishly gave 92 Billion Dollars for hurricane relief, much of which was squandered away or wasted, never to be seen again,” Trump wrote, before accusing the island’s political leaders of having “wasted” their allotted relief funds and of “robbing the U.S. Government blind!”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Trump had previously lambasted San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz after she criticized the White House’s response to Hurricane Maria, which devastated the territory in September 2017.

Protestors in Puerto Rico have been calling for Gov. Ricardo Rosselló to resign after hundreds of pages of disparaging text messages about his political rivals were leaked. According to several reports, the messages also contained information about public opinion polls allegedly that were allegedly manipulated and a distasteful remark about dead bodies piling up in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

SLIDESHOW: TOP DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2020

Trump also said the amount allocated to hurricane relief for Puerto Rico was more than twice the quantity allotted to Florida and Texas, both of which also suffered severe storm damage around the same time as Puerto Rico.

Trump famously called his administration’s response to Hurricane Maria an “unsung success” last year. The comment drew severe backlash from local leaders like Cruz and lawmakers, who noted that around 3,000 people were killed as a result of the storm. 

Police in San Juan used tear gas to dispel crowds of protesters outside the capital’s main government building, La Fortaleza.

Pablo Mena

Writer for upolitics.com. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Share
Published by
Pablo Mena

Recent Posts

JD Vance’s Pastor Brother, Cory Bowman, Runs Longshot Race For Cincinnati Mayor – After Never Previously Voting In A Local Election

Despite a short mayoral campaign, Cory Bowman, Vice President JD Vance's half-brother, found his way…

4 hours ago

Trump Names 23rd Fox News Personality To His Administration – Jeanine Pirro As Interim U.S. Attorney For D.C.

President Donald Trump announced his new appointment as interim U.S. attorney for the District of…

4 hours ago

Ford Raises Prices $2000 On Some Vehicle Models Due To Trump Tariffs

Ford Motor Company is increasing prices on several vehicles manufactured in Mexico, citing the impact…

9 hours ago

Sen. John Fetterman Shouts & Bangs His Fists During ‘Chaotic’ Meeting With Teachers’ Union, Raising Further Concerns About His Mental Health

Concerns are rising for Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) following a chaotic meeting with Pennsylvania teachers'…

1 day ago

House Republicans Struggle To Unite On Trump’s ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ Amid Battle Over Medicaid Cuts & SALT Deduction

With weeks remaining before their self-imposed Memorial Day deadline, House Republicans are growing more divided…

1 day ago

Trump Calls Fed Chair Powell A ‘Fool’ After Interest Rates Hold Steady Due To Concerns About Tariffs

The Federal Reserve decided on Wednesday to hold interest rates steady, at 4.25 percent to…

1 day ago