Sununu Says Trump ‘Wrong’ in Calling New Hampshire a ‘Drug-Infested Den’

Washington — Gov. Chris Sununu is condemning comments President Donald Trump made in a phone call with the Mexican president in which he called New Hampshire a “drug-infested den.”

“The president is wrong,” Sununu, a Republican, said in a statement released this morning. “It’s disappointing his mischaracterization of this epidemic ignores the great things this state has to offer.”

His statement came on the heels of a Washington Post story about the transcript of the Jan. 27 call with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, in which Trump lashed out at Peña Nieto over the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.

“We have a massive drug problem where kids are becoming addicted to drugs because the drugs are being sold for less money than candy,” Trump told the Mexican leader. “I won New Hampshire because New Hampshire is a drug-infested den.”

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton won New Hampshire by a narrow margin, taking the state’s four electoral votes.

The New Hampshire Democratic Party had called on Sununu and the state Republican Party to “fiercely” condemn the statements.

“Rather than name-call, President Trump should deliver proper aid to combat the opioid crisis,” New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley said in the release.

Democratic Congresswoman Annie Kuster said in a statement that she was “appalled by President Trump’s ignorant and insulting comments about New Hampshire,” calling on the president to apologize to the state’s residents.

“I’ve found willing partners in both Republicans and Democrats who want to work together to address the opioid crisis that’s impacting communities throughout the country,” Kuster said. “Mr. Trump’s comments underscore how little he appreciates the gravity of this issue and the need to work together collaboratively on real solutions.”