Biden calls for resignation of LA city council members over racist remarks

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Nury Martinez attends Women's March Action: March 4 Reproductive Rights at Pershing Square on Oct. 2, 2021 in Los Angeles. / Getty Images

"Unacceptable" and "appalling" is how White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre described the crude and disparaging racist remarks that surfaced this week in a recording of three city council members in Los Angeles. President Biden believes all three council members should give up their seats, Jean-Pierre said. The recording was first reported by the Los Angeles Times on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Councilwoman Nury Martinez announced that she intends to take a leave of absence, but she stopped short of submitting her resignation. Martinez employed racist and derogatory language to describe the son – who is black – of another council member, using a Spanish term meaning "little monkey" and stating that the boy needed "a beatdown." In addition, she described Oaxacan immigrants in Koreatown as "short little dark people." Council members Gil Cedillo and Kevin de León also participated in the conversation.

All three council members have issued apologies.

The president's statement comes as he embarks on a West Coast tour where he is scheduled for several public events, including a fundraiser with Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. He joined high-ranking California officials in his call for the council members' resignations. Scores of outraged protesters interrupted a city council meeting on Tuesday.

The White House used the occasion to excoriate Republicans for their treatment of incidents of racism within their own party.

"Here's the difference between Democrats and Republicans: When a Democrat says something racist or antisemitic ... we hold Democrats accountable," said Jean-Pierre. "When a MAGA Republican says something racist and or antisemitic, they are embraced by cheering crowds and become celebrated and sought after."

Councilman Mike Bonin — whose son was the subject of the derogatory remarks — gave an emotional statement on Tuesday. "I take a lot of hits, but my son?" said Bonin. He called his fellow council members' comments unforgivable.

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