Share
WASHINGTON — George W. Bush says the Republican Party he served as president has become “isolationist, protectionist and, to a certain extent, nativist” and says he’s especially concerned about anti-immigration rhetoric.
“It’s a beautiful country we have and yet it’s not beautiful when we condemn, call people names and scare people about immigration,” Bush told NBC’s “Today” show on Tuesday.
Bush’s Book Aims to ‘Elevate the Discourse’
Bush, who was in New York to preside over a naturalization ceremony, said his new book, “Out of Many, One: Portraits of America’s Immigrants,” aims to ”elevate the discourse.”
The former president did not mention Donald Trump, who aggressively curbed both legal and illegal immigration during his tenure and sought to build a “big, beautiful wall” at the southwest border with Mexico to keep out migrants. Trump, a fellow Republican, disparaged the migrants as invaders and “illegal aliens” and, as a candidate, referred to Mexicans as “rapists.”
But Trump has dominated the Republican Party, even out of office. Hard-right House Republicans last week discussed forming an America First Caucus, which one document described as championing “Anglo-Saxon political traditions” and warning that mass immigration was putting the “unique identity” of the U.S. at risk.
Bush, asked to describe the state of the party, replied, “I would describe it as isolationist, protectionist and, to a certain extent, nativist.” He added, “It’s not exactly my vision as an old guy, but I’m just an old guy that’s put out to pasture.”
RELATED TOPICS:
Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch
13 hours ago
Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins
13 hours ago
General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish
14 hours ago
Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap
4 hours ago
California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law
8 hours ago
Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy
11 hours ago
Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump
12 hours ago
No. 15 Overall Seed UCLA Eases Past Fresno State Behind a Season-High 22 Hits
12 hours ago
Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch
13 hours ago
Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins
13 hours ago
General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish
14 hours ago
Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap
4 hours ago
California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law
8 hours ago
Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy
11 hours ago
Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump
12 hours ago
No. 15 Overall Seed UCLA Eases Past Fresno State Behind a Season-High 22 Hits
12 hours ago
Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch
13 hours ago
Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins
13 hours ago
General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish
14 hours ago

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump
