Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst Condemns Steve King’s ‘Offensive and Racist’ Remarks

Iowa Congressman Steve King has been condemned by fellow Republicans this week for his comments asking when “white nationalist” and “white supremacist” became offensive. King subsequently tried to clarify his remarks, but that combined with his well-known history opened the floodgates to serious renewed scrutiny.

Now Iowa Senator Joni Ernst has joined the chorus of Republican criticism, tweeting this morning, “I condemn Rep. Steve King’s comments on white supremacy; they are offensive and racist – and not representative of our state of Iowa. We are a great nation and this divisiveness is hurting everyone. We cannot continue down this path if we want to continue to be a great nation.”

She also shared a link to Senator Tim Scott‘s op-ed blasting King.

I condemn Rep. Steve King’s comments on white supremacy; they are offensive and racist – and not representative of our state of Iowa. We are a great nation and this divisiveness is hurting everyone. We cannot continue down this path if we want to continue to be a great nation.

— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) January 12, 2019

I condemn Rep. Steve King’s comments on white supremacy; they are offensive and racist – and not representative of our state of Iowa. https://t.co/lJDBCc7NXK

— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) January 12, 2019

Two years ago, after King made that rancid “we can’t restore our civilization with somebody else’s babies” comment, Ernst said she does not condone that kind of language, but she stopped short of asking for his resignation.

Fellow Iowa Republican senator Chuck Grassley had this to say when asked yesterday:

Grassley: "I think that any claim of white supremacy is wrong and I detest it." Grassley was non-committal about whether King reelect.
Asked if King was fit to serve in office, Grassley said, "The people of Iowa elected him and so, you know, the people have made a choice."

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 11, 2019

[image via screengrab]