‘The Squad’ is actually admirable

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S vile, racist attack on four female congresswomen — known as “the Squad” — should be condemned by every American. These women typify our best and brightest, and they have every right to speak out. Their life experiences are instructive.

(Rep.) Ilhan Omar’s family fled Somalia and spent four years in a refugee camp before gaining asylum in the U.S. She became a naturalized citizen in 2000, graduated college with degrees in political science and international studies and worked as a nutrition educator in Minnesota. In 2018, she won the general election, becoming the first woman of color to serve as a U.S. representative from Minnesota.

(Rep.) Rashida Tlaib was born to Palestinian immigrants in Detroit. She earned degrees in political science and laws, and also served in the Michigan House; Tlaib became the first Palestinian-American woman in Congress.

(Rep.) Alexandria OcasioCortez was born in the Bronx. She graduated cum laude from Boston University’s college of arts and sciences, majoring in international relations and economics. She moved back to the Bronx and took a job working 18-hour shifts as a bartender and waitress to help her mother fight foreclosure of her home. In 2018 Ocasio-Cortez won the general election with 78% of the vote.

(Rep.) Ayanna Pressley was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and raised in Chicago. She attended Boston University but left school to take a full-time job to support her mother. Pressley subsequently became the first African-American woman elected to the Boston City Council in 2009. In 2018, fueled by a new voter demographic of Asian and Hispanic voters, Pressley won the primary and general elections.

These women were elected to challenge Trump and his dangerous policies. They exemplify the American ideal of working hard to succeed. They aren’t going anywhere. As the son of a Swedish immigrant, I stand with “the Squad.” JEFFERY HANSON Albuquerque