
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. exits the stage after speaking during a commemoration ceremony for the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which abolished slavery in the United States, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, in Emancipation Hall on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Just days after Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the U.S. Senateโs sole African American Republican member, labeled Donald Trumpโs criticism of the Mexican-American judge overseeing the Trump University case as โracially toxic,โ the lawmaker reaffirmed his support for the divisive presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
Trump has come under fire by many in the GOP for his racially-tinged criticism of federal Judge Gonzalo Curielโs handling of the lawsuit against Trump University. Among other things, he has called the judge a โhaterโ who has been โvery hostileโ and biased in his rulings.
โIโve been treated very unfairly by this judge. This judge is of Mexican heritage, OK? Iโm building a wall between here and Mexico. Iโm trying to keep business out of Mexico,โ Trump told CNNโs Jake Trapper, citing the reasons he believes Curiel is prejudiced against him. โI think he needs to recuse himself.โ
Scott was among the Republican leaders who sounded off on Trumpโs racist language.
โI think they were racially toxic,โ Scott said of Trumpโs remarks earlier this week. โObviously his comments were in line with his primary language, which is not in our best interest either.โ
On June 7, Trump issued a statement saying his comments were โmisconstrued as a categorical attack against people of Mexican heritageโ when he was only questioning Curielโs handling of the case.
Scott seemed quick to accept Trumpโs non-apology, saying to CNN on June 7: โI think heโs done a good job in the last 24 hours of realizing the impact of those comments. I think it shows real leadership when he takes responsibility and walks those comments back. I think thatโs a good direction, a new direction frankly and one that I am pleased with.โ
He later told The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier that while he might find Trumpโs words troubling, he would continue to support the GOP nominee.
โIโm not living in a silo,โ Scott said. โThe reality of it is, we have the impact of Trumpโs policies and positions compared to Hillary Clintonโs policies and positions, and I am entirely convinced the country is better off under the policies and positions of the Republican Party than they are under the Democratic Party.โ
Not every Republican is as encouraged by Trumpโs explanation, howeverโmost notably Scottโs fellow South Carolina senator.
โThe bar is low,โ Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), told CNN of his fellow GOP senatorsโ acceptance of Trumpโs latest apology.
โI think it shows a conscience on his part that he stepped in it. Whether or not this is a major correction or not, I donโt know,โ said Graham, who abandoned his own presidential campaign last year. โHis excuse that his statement was misconstruedโnobody believes that. But it is some recognition that he needs to be more disciplined.โ

