A city councilmember is under fire by some constituents for dismissing concerns about Donald Trump's election win.
Eric Ulrich, a Republican city councilman who represents Queens' 32nd district, ruffled feathers when he tweeted on Tuesday that participants in the protests against the president-elect should "get over" the election results.
"The protesters in NYC tonight are the leftovers from the anti-police demonstrations," he said. "Trump won. Get over it!"
Several people took issue with his statement, especially some New Yorkers who viewed his statement as a sign of disrespect. Others felt that Ulrich ignored the crux of why so many opposed Trump's platform: his polarizing policies and rhetoric.
Fellow elected officials also challenged Ulrich's statement. Manhattan Democratic District Leader Kim Moscaritolo told him to be more empathetic towards Trump's opposers in a Twitter exchange.
"People are terrified of losing healthcare, or being deported," she said in a tweet on Tuesday evening. "Have some empathy."
Of 14 Queens councilmembers, Ulrich is the only Republican representing the borough. He self-identifies as a "moderate Republican", according to his Twitter profile.
