Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, who is a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, sharply criticized the President on the Senate floor Tuesday for his “treasonous” remarks.
Trump had accused stone-faced Democrats of treason for not standing and applauding during his State of the Union address.
“I have seen the President’s most ardent defenders use the now-weary argument that the President’s comments were meant as a joke, just sarcasm, only tongue in cheek,” he said. “But treason is not a punchline, Mr. President.”
During a speech outside Cincinnati, Trump called Democrats who didn’t applaud for him “treasonous.”
“They were like death and un-American. Un-American. Somebody said, ‘Treasonous.’ I mean, yeah, I guess, why not,” Trump said to laughter during a speech outside Cincinnati, Ohio on Monday.
Describing the Democratic response, where many lawmakers sat and frowned as Trump spoke, the President added: “Can we call that treason? Why not.”
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Tuesday the President was “clearly joking” when he made the comment.
This story is breaking and will be updated.