Senior White House Official Calls California “Occupied Territory” as Trump Lands in Los Angeles at Start of Four Day West Coast Swing

Joe Grogan, Assistant to the President and Director of the Domestic Policy Council, set off a firestorm of criticism when he called California “occupied territory” in a tweet Tuesday night about President Trump’s trip to the Golden State.

Trump landed in Los Angeles Tuesday to kickoff a four day, four state West Coast swing that will see him appear at a mix of official events and fundraisers in California on Tuesday and Wednesday and campaign rallies in Phoenix on Wednesday, Colorado Springs on Thursday and Las Vegas on Friday and other official events and fundraisers in those states. Trump is scheduled to overnight in Las Vegas each night before his expected return to Washington Friday.

After 5 hr 11 min flight west, Pres Trump deplanes Air Force One in Los Angeles. Waves to supporters on tarmac. Will be meeting today with US Olympic & Paralympic Committee and LA2028 Organizers. Later has $7-million Trump fundraiser in Beverly Hills. pic.twitter.com/HAlhxsbLgI

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) February 19, 2020

Grogan tweeted Tuesday evening, “Just landed in California. POTUS power swing through occupied territory.”

Just landed in California. POTUS power swing through occupied territory. ⁦ https://t.co/3juICy6NHN

— Joe Grogan (@joegrogan45) February 19, 2020

While the Trump administration will be hotly criticized for the slur, the media has other names for California’s relationship with White House. Politico called California the “State of Resistance” in its preview article on the President’s trip.

“For the first time since his California-bashing State of the Union address, President Donald Trump is returning to the State of Resistance today. As always, his reception will vary wildly.”

The pushback online was immediate, with some noting how much California pays in federal taxes compared to other states:

Hey look at how many taxes this occupied territory pays. pic.twitter.com/woF4bJ5Q9t

— Travel Guru Says Convict and Remove???????? (@NvrTrumpGrabber) February 19, 2020

Here’s an assistant to Trump calling a U.S. State “Occupied Territory.”

I see they are trying they hardest to lose even more congressional seats than what they lost in 2018. https://t.co/uwiPtuTdOF

— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) February 19, 2020

Occupied territory? Occupied by whom, hardworking tax payers? This is from a federal employee. pic.twitter.com/MkuLWMY9RE

— Diana Gonzales ???? (@trojanchick99) February 19, 2020

Occupied Territory. Never forget what these people really think of you.
If California is simply "occupied territory", how about we Californians stop paying our federal income tax? Taxation without representation right? https://t.co/AABq5RHJAT

— Joey (@JoeyMRB) February 19, 2020

“Occupied territory.” Hey scumbag, I’m a patriotic American who pays your salary and yet you disrespect us? https://t.co/ywkCfhzzg2

— Jonathan (@jehawks) February 19, 2020

Trump’s assistant and director of his domestic policy council refers to the most populous state in the US as “occupied territory” ???????? https://t.co/LwE4TGGGHn

— Leah McElrath ????️‍???? (@leahmcelrath) February 19, 2020

Imagine if Obama's Director of the Domestic Policy Council and advisor referred to Texas or some other red state as "occupied territory" https://t.co/O2up1lJuHx

— Jordan (@_Jordan_J_) February 19, 2020

It’s remarkable to see the open hostility the current White House has towards millions of Americans.

Imagine if Obama called Alabama “occupied territory”.

Seriously, Fox News would never forget. https://t.co/0fEPENgfjx

— Anne Hidalgo 2020 (@james94_SF) February 19, 2020

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