Presidential Hopeful Tulsi Gabbard Joins Protesters in San Juan to Call for Resignation of Governor

Democratic presidential hopeful Tulsi Gabbard joined protesters in the streets of San Juan on Friday, July 19, to call for the resignation of Governor RIcardo Rossello following the release of 889 pages of private Telegram chats.

The chats, between Rossello and 11 top aides and cabinet members, contained homophobic and misogynistic messages, and comes amid a corruption scandal. Puerto Rico’s Center for Investigative Journalism reported on July 17 that a “multi-million dollar corruption network” that they allege took place with Rossello’s knowledge and involved some of his closest aides.

“I’m calling on all the candidates vying for the Democratic nomination to come here to Puerto Rico to show your support for the Puerto Rican Americans who are in dire need of all the support they can get,” tweeted Gabbard. “The Democratic governor and his administration are corrupt to the core, and the people of Puerto Rico have been suffering because of this kind of corruption for far too long.”

Elizabeth Warren, one of Gabbard’s rivals for the Democratic nomination, also called for Rossello to resign on Friday.

“I’ve been standing with the people of Puerto Rico in their protests against corruption and their governor’s behavior,” she tweeted. “The people have spoken—loud and clear: Ricardo Rossello should resign.” Credit: Tulsi Gabbard via Storyful