Hard-core Democrats are seething that one of their own — Staten Island city Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks — praised a pro-Donald Trump-Make America Great Again statement posted on social media.
Republican Vincent Ignizio, the deputy executive director of the city Board of Elections, issued a statement on his personal Facebook account after the Nov. 5 election saying, “Popular vote 300+ electoral votes. Now bring our Country Together & truly Make America Great Again.”
Hanks, a Democrat who represents Staten Island’s blue-leaning North Shore, responded to Ignizio with, “Well said.”
A Democrat who saw the exchange said Hanks’ comment will all but certainly lead to the local pol facing a party primary challenge from an anti-Trump Dem.
“At best, it’s tone deaf. At worst, it’s a betrayal,” the Democratic borough activist, who requested anonymity, said of Hanks’ online comment.
“A lot of people think Hanks is a closet Republican and Donald Trump’s victory gives her a permission slip to walk out into the sunlight,” the source griped.
Hanks, during an interview Sunday, called the interpretation of her response “absurd.
“My response was about Trump having the opportunity to bring the country together,” she said. “It was more about that than the whole MAGA thing.
“People can stir the pot all they want,” added Hanks, who said she voted for fellow Democrat and Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
Hanks said she has known Ignizio for nearly 20 years and only thought he made a good point.
“Ignizio is a friend, and what he said I agreed with,” said Hanks, who is seeking re-election to a second term next year.
“I love our country and always think it’s great — despite all its bumps and bruises.”
She also said glum Democrats should stop the circular firing squad and instead figure out what went wrong this election cycle, fix it and look to the future.
“Democrats should take a deep dive on why we lost the presidential election instead of looking at my Facebook comments,” the councilwoman said.
Hanks described herself as “very much a moderate” and “not a left-of-center person at all.”
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams replaced Hanks as chairperson of the body’s Public Safety Committee last year, reportedly over disagreements with the “How Many Stops Act” law that requires NYPD officers to file reports on more of their interactions with the public.
Ignizio said it was unfortunate that Democrats were attacking Hanks.
“Kamillah and I have been friends for 20 years,” he said. “Everyone has to come together post-election.
“The election is over and now it’s time to govern,” added Ignizio, a former councilman. “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.
Staten Island is a borough where representatives from different parties work well together, Hanks said.
“That’s what Staten Island electeds do well. We cross the aisle to get things done. Potholes don’t have a political party,” the councilwoman said.
