Editor's Note: Tom Fowdy is a British political and international relations analyst and a graduate of Durham and Oxford universities. He writes on topics pertaining to China, the DPRK, Britain, and the United States. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily those of CGTN.

President Donald Trump’s row with four ethnic minority congresswomen continued Monday night as he launched into a Twitter tirade branding the representatives a “bunch of communists” who “hate their country”, further going on to describe them as “Anti-America”, “Anti-Israel" and supporters of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda who were "running an agenda" he said was “disgusting.” The remarks came in response to outrage over initial comments by Trump suggesting they should “leave” the country and “go home”, jibing at the migrant and refugee backgrounds of their parents.

The four congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib – all newly elected last year – have gained the nickname “the squad”, particularly because of their fiery progressive politics, advocacy for Democratic Socialism and willingness to challenge the old guard of American politics.

Although Trump’s attacks on them have been explicitly condemned as racist and xenophobic, his comments reflect the more subtle thinking embedded within the American political hierarchy: a lasting and entrenched contempt for social justice, ethnic minority empowerment and greater opportunity for the poorest in society. It is those who are not talking who we should really pay attention to, who beyond this saga are happy to bash and shun politicians like the “squad” for their progressive leanings every single day.

As a pivotal example, Ilhan Omar is a woman who is truly battling against all odds. As a woman, African and Muslim hailing from the war-torn nation of Somalia, the barriers and obstacles that her demographic has faced towards fair opportunities in life have been enormous. As a young refugee being brought to the United States, her parents undoubtedly saw hope, peace and dreams through life in America, even if the society of that country was and continues to be, subtly unfavorable to them.

Despite that, Omar was able to make history by becoming the first Muslim woman ever to be elected to the congress of the United States. In recognizing the hardships of her heritage and the horrors of life in her own country, she has been fiercely progressive and sought to stand in solidarity with oppressed groups. Most notably, this has centered on the plight of Palestinians and thus a vocal criticism of the aggressive turn the Trump administration has taken against them.

Does this make her a figure of inspiration in the United States? In theory it should, in practice however, she and her like-minded associates have faced constant contempt and criticism from the American political and media elite. Trump’s outburst against her and her colleagues might be standalone for how abrasive, obnoxious and outright racist it is, yet he is simply speaking out what many in the U.S order think, but is too tame or tactful to actually say.

For example, Omar has been passively aggressively targeted as “anti-Semitic” and bullied by other American elites and journalists for her positions; and even in the midst of Trump’s comments, one can observe on social media how commentators may condemn the President, yet carefully make distance to ensure they are not “endorsing” what she stands for. Even Nancy Pelosi, who claims to be progressive, is only prepared to offer half-hearted criticism.

Trump knows this. That’s why he has attempted to brand Omar, alongside Cortez, Pressley and Tlaib as the “new face of the democratic party." Not because his opinions are standalone, but because he is aware that their sentiment, policies and perspectives, as committed “left wingers” is viewed with disapproval from the Washington elite and its media base.

In this light, we must pay more attention to what is not being said in the midst of this controversy, than what is being said. Some may offer lip service to condemning Trump’s awful comments, but behind closed doors this is a President they are more than prepared to tolerate. Are there any real complaints about Trump’s foreign policy for example? Or his tax cuts? Of course not.

Instead, what is truly beyond toleration to them is the thought of politicians who are prepared to take up seats in Washington and oppose war and aggression abroad, whilst supporting social justice, welfare and racial equality at home. Look past this saga, read between the lines and carefully observe who Washington really dislikes.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com.)