Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., making his first public remarks since President Donald Trump launched a Twitter attack on Baltimore, sought to defend his hometown Saturday and urged that investments be made in the city.
Cummings, speaking at the opening of a park, said he doesn’t have time for people who trash the city but does have time for its children.
After his remarks, Cummings told reporters he would like for the president to visit Baltimore, but declined to speculate on what Trump was thinking when he issued his tweets.
“When I hear criticism by anybody about my city, I think the thing that bothers me most is that we have a situation where there are folks who are stepping on the foot, on the hope of our children,” Cummings said. “I don’t know what I would have done if I’d had people in high places when I was a little boy telling me what I couldn’t do. Instead, I had people telling me what I could do.”
Cummings said he wants the people of Baltimore to embrace hope.
“It gives people light – it brings light into their lives. I have so much to do,” Cummings said. “Most of the time I’m in this community and other communities like it trying to create opportunities for our young people.”
 (c) 2019, The Washington Post · Cortlynn Stark, Ovetta Wiggins 
{Matzav.com}