Zinke Defends “Konnichiwa” Remark

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is attempting to defend himself after he replied "konnichiwa" to Japanese AmericanCongresswoman Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI)during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing. “How could ever saying ‘good morning’ be bad?” Zinke asked reporters following a tour of the U.S.-Mexico border on Saturday, according to The Arizona Republic. Zinke’s remarks came when Hanabusa had asked Zinke if he would commit to refunding a National Park Service program that offers grants toward the preservation of confinement camps where Japanese Americans were held during World War II. Following the “konnichiwa” remark, there was a brief and awkward silence and Hanabusa corrected Zinke. "I think it's still 'ohayo gozaimasu,' but that's OK," she said. Hanabusa's grandfathers were held in internment camps. The remarks drew immediate backlash across social media. "The internment of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans is no laughing matter, @SecretaryZinke. What you thought was a clever response to @RepHanabusa was flippant & juvenile," tweeted Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI). More here.