My Task Force on Hate Crimes Prevention was created because of people like Donald Trump

When I was a judge, I presided over all kinds of criminal cases, including arson. I heard lots of absurdity and unbelievable arguments made in the courtroom. But I never heard anyone have the nerve to say they set the house on fire but didn't intend for it to burn to the ground.

That's the kind of disingenuous liar we have as the current occupant of the White House. He tweets that four Congresswomen of color should "go back where they came from" and revs up the crowd with his racist rant against these women – and then what? He claimed he "didn't approve" of the "send her back" chant that followed!

Donald Trump – you don't get to have it both ways. You are an unmitigated racist.

This is not the new normal. We must not let it become our new normal.

While I may not agree with every single view of Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, I feel I must personally apologize to them for the giant stain on our country that the occupant of the White House has caused by his words. I applaud their conduct and courage and thank them for their service to the public.

Last year, I put together a Task Force on Hate Crimes Prevention to address this very real problem throughout our state with hate-motivated conduct. I'm thrilled that Governor Brown has signed my bill. My hope is that one day, we will lead as a positive example of love and acceptance for the rest of the country.

We must continue to do better. Not just by these Congresswomen, but by every American who flees to our shores for safety.

In solidarity,

Ellen