Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said Wednesday that President Obama has “inflamed racial tensions in this country” and that the Democrat has missed a prime opportunity to unify the nation.
Speaking at a forum hosted by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at The National Press Club, Mr. Cruz, a contender for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, said the Obama administration has habitually divided the nation for political gain.
“I think he has not used his role as president to bring us together. He has exacerbated racial misunderstandings, racial tensions,” Mr. Cruz said.
The comments follow riots and looting that rocked Baltimore following the funeral services for 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who died after he sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury while in police custody.
Mr. Obama is the nation’s first African-American president.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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