Scaramucci: Lewandowski should apologize for mocking girl with Down syndrome

Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci called on former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski to apologize after mocking a 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome who was reportedly separated from her mother after crossing the border illegally.

“I think that was a terrible mistake,” said Scaramucci, who shares a good relationship with Lewandowski, on WABC’s “Bernie and Sid in the Morning” in New York.

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“And he should get out today and say I apologize for saying that,” Scaramucci continued. “It was the intensity of the debate. It was the intensity of the moment. It was too callous and it was too insensitive.”

Scaramucci is referring to comments made by Lewandowski on Tuesday on Fox News’s “The Story with Martha MacCallum.”

In an exchange with Zac Petkanas, a campaign aide for 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, discussing a Wall Street Journal report on a child with Down syndrome being separated from her parents, Lewandowski said “womp womp” when Petkanas mentioned the young girl’s condition.

Petkanas interrupted.

“Did you say ‘womp womp’ to a 10-year-old with Down syndrome?” Petkanas asked Lewandowski. “How dare you!”

Lewandowski on Wednesday remained steadfast while refusing to apologize for the comment in a return appearance on Fox News.

“An apology?” he asked when asked if he’d like to give one by anchor Sandra Smith on “Happening Now.”

“I owe an apology to the children whose parents are putting them in a position that is forcing them to be separated?” he continued. 

“My comment was specifically about Zac trying to politicize the use of children as a political football in this discussion because the law is very clear,” Lewandowski added.

“Let’s not make this about politicizing children. Let’s make it about the rules and the laws and Congress has the ability to change that.”

Lewandowski also took to Twitter to clarify his statement, calling media coverage of it “offensive” and claiming he was mocking Petkanas and not the girl.

“Lots of Fake News today,” he tweeted. “I mocked a liberal who attempted to politicize children as opposed to discussing the real issue which is fixing a broken immigration system. It’s offenseive that the MSM doesn’t want to talk about the fact these policies were started under Obama.”

The Trump administration has faced fierce criticism from both sides of the aisle for it “zero tolerance” policy that has led to the separation of thousands of migrant children from their families.  

President Trump indicated Wednesday he will sign “something” aimed at ending the policy.

“I’ll be signing something in a little while that’s going to do that,” Trump said to reporters at the White House. “I’ll be doing something that’s somewhat preemptive and ultimately will be matched by legislation I’m sure.”

Specifics about the order remain unclear.