Cedric Richmond is leading an effort to censure Donald Trump. Ralph Abraham floats a conspiracy theory.

Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond, a Democrat from New Orleans and the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, is leading an effort to introduce a resolution seeking to censure President Donald Trump for his recent comments about “shithole” countries, according to multiple reports. Richmond’s move has already been endorsed by Rep. James Clyburn, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. Trump’s remarks have also been denounced by Republican Rep. Mia Love, Sen. John McCain, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and Speaker Paul Ryan. The Daily Beast reports that the lawmakers plan to introduce a censure resolution on the day after the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Meanwhile, another Louisiana Congressman, Ralph Abraham, a Republican from the 5th Congressional district, issued a bizarre defense of the President today, via Twitter and an official press statement. Among other things, Abraham claimed that the story was somehow a Democratic conspiracy, which is not true. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a participant in the meeting, essentially confirmed the President’s statements, and the White House has not officially denied any of the reports. Abraham recently claimed that he is considering a run against incumbent Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards. The Bayou Brief is a non-profit news publication that relies 100% on donations from our readers. Help support independent journalism about the stories of Louisiana through a monthly or one-time donation by clicking here.