Trump accused of racism after telling progressive congresswomen to 'go back' where 'they came'

President Donald Trump on Sunday tweeted a pointed challenge to progressive congresswomen who constantly criticize the United States: leave America.

The president, whose comments were criticized by Republicans and Democrats both, said:

So interesting to see "Progressive" Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run.

Why don't they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done. These places need your help badly, you can't leave fast enough. I'm sure that Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!

Although Trump did not refer to her specifically, the president's tweets were most likely directed at Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Oct. 4, 1982.

The other "progressive ... congresswomen" to whom Trump indirectly referred — Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) — were born in America.

What was the reaction to Trump's tweets?

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said:

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said:

Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.), who recently left the Republican Party, called the messages racist.

AOC said:

Conservative writer David French said: