The US House speaker has defended Democratic colleague Elijah Cummings after he was criticised by Donald Trump who called his district a "disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess".
Nancy Pelosi described the words the US president used on Twitter against the African-American politician and his Maryland district as "racist attacks".
She said US representative Mr Cummings was a "champion in the Congress and the country for civil rights and economic justice, a beloved leader in Baltimore, and deeply valued colleague".
She added: "We all reject racist attacks against him and support his steadfast leadership."
Mrs Pelosi was born in Baltimore and is the daughter of a former mayor of the city.
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Her words came after Mr Trump lashed out at Mr Cummings, the chairman of the House oversight committee, which is undertaking several investigations into the president's dealings.
He said Mr Cummings' 7th congressional district, which includes half of Baltimore, was "considered the worst run and most dangerous anywhere in the United States" and a "disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess".
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Around 55% of people living in the district are black and it has struggled to deal with a high rate of violent crime.
But Baltimore mayor Bernard C Young also attacked Mr Trump, saying he was a "disappointment to the people of Baltimore, our country, and to the world".
"It's completely unacceptable for the political leader of our country to denigrate a vibrant American city like Baltimore, and to viciously attack US Representative Elijah Cummings – a patriot and a hero."
The president said Mr Cummings was a "brutal bully" for criticising the treatment of migrants at the border with Mexico.
Mr Cummings has also come under fire from Mr Trump since his committee vRead More – Source
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