Hardcore Democrats are furious after fellow Staten Island City Council member Camilla Hanks posted on social media praising pro-President Donald Trump's “Make America Great Again” statement.
After the November 5 election, Republican Vincent Ignizio, deputy executive director of the city's Board of Elections, posted on his personal Facebook account, “The popular vote is over 300 electors. Let's unite and truly make America great again.”
Hanks, a Democrat who represents Staten Island's bluish North Shore, responded to Ignizio by saying, “Well said.”
One Democrat who saw the exchange said Mr. Hanks' comments made it almost certain that the local pole would face a challenge in the party's primary from anti-Trump Democrats.
“At best, it's tone-deaf. At worst, it's betrayal,” said a Democratic Party activist who requested anonymity regarding Hanks' online comments.
“Many think Hanks is a closet Republican, but Donald Trump's victory gives her a pass to walk in the sunlight,” the source complained.
Hanks said in an interview Sunday that his interpretation of her response was “ridiculous.”
“My reaction was that President Trump has an opportunity to unite the country,” she said. “That was more important than the whole MAGA thing.
“People can stir the pot all they want,” added Hanks, who said he voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, a fellow Democrat, for president.
Hanks said he has known Ignizio for nearly 20 years and only thinks Ignizio has good things to say.
“Ignizio is a friend and I agreed with everything he said,” said Hanks, who is seeking re-election for a second term next year.
“I love this country and I have always thought that despite all its bumps, it is great.”
He also said gloomy Democrats should abandon the roving firing squad and instead figure out what went wrong this election cycle, fix it and look to the future.
“Instead of looking at my Facebook comments, Democrats should dig deeper into why they lost the presidential election,” the city council member said.
Hanks described himself as “very moderate” and “not at all center-left.”
Last year, City Council President Adrian Adams replaced Mr. Hanks as chairman of the city's Public Safety Committee, which introduced a new law requiring New York City police officers to submit reports on more interactions with the public. This is said to be due to a difference of opinion regarding the “counting method.''
Ignizio said it's unfortunate that Democrats are attacking Hanks.
“Camila and I have been friends for 20 years,” he said. “We all need to come together after the election.
Ignizio, a former city councilor, added: “The election is over and now it's time to govern.” “President Trump's success is our success, and we should all want that.”
He claimed he wrote similar posts after Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden were elected president.
Hanks said Staten Island is a borough where representatives from different political parties can work well together.
“That's what Staten Islanders do well. We cross the aisle to run errands. Potholes have no political parties,” the councilman said.
