McCain blasts Trump’s ‘Pocahontas’ comment to Code Talkers

PHOENIX — President Donald Trump insulted a group of Navajo Code Talkers on Monday when he made divisive political comments while addressing them, according to U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Trump was speaking about Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, with whom he has feuded, when he referred to her as Pocahontas because of her Native American heritage claims.

“We have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago,” he said. “They call her Pocahontas.”

In a tweet, McCain said the politicizing comments were an insult to a group that deserved more respect.

Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Navajo Code Talkers, whose bravery, skill & tenacity helped secure our decisive victory over tyranny & oppression during WWII. Politicizing these genuine American heroes is an insult to their sacrifice.

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) November 28, 2017

Relatives of the Code Talkers said the comment was inappropriate and distracted from the men’s work that helped the U.S. win World War II.

“It was uncalled for,” said Marty Thompson, whose great-uncle was a Navajo Code Talker. “He can say what he wants when he’s out doing his presidential business among his people, but when it comes to honoring veterans or any kind of people, he needs to grow up and quit saying things like that.”

Pocahontas is a historical figure known for bridging her own Pamunkey Tribe in present-day Virginia with British settlers in the 1600s. Since her death, her story has been romanticized and was the focus of several films and books.

The Navajo Nation suggested Trump’s remark was an example of “cultural insensitivity,” and they resolved to stay out of the “ongoing feud between the senator and President Trump.”

“All tribal nations still battle insensitive references to our people. The prejudice that Native American people face is an unfortunate historical legacy,” Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said in a statement.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president didn’t intend it as a racial slur.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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