Adelita Grijalva

Russert:

“This iteration of America 250—this Freedom 250 that Donald Trump and his cronies have engaged in—there is a really strong element of Christian nationalism that is meant to define what it means to be an American. Can you speak to that and what you guys uncovered?”

Grijalva:

“Well, that’s incredibly problematic because our nation is built on, really, the contributions of immigrants, of people from all different countries, all different nationalities, and all different religions. We do not have an official religion in this country, nor do I believe we should. We are supposed to be this melting pot where everyone comes together and is stronger as a result of it.

“But under this administration, it is more about how Christian you are. You know, if you’re Catholic, you’re not Christian enough. If you’re Muslim, you’re not part of our—I mean, it’s like this sort of club of elitists, and they keep pushing people away and out of what is supposed to be a really solid celebration.

“Even some of the speakers who were speaking all spoke of religion, and not as much about what the contributions have been in our country. We could have had a true celebration of art, music, poetry—just a big, encompassing celebration of what it is to be an American and everyone who has contributed.

“But what it has been is an incredibly stifling, hot environment that nobody is coming to because there’s really nothing to see there.”