In an interview with The Giro on Tuesday, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) blamed President Trump for an alleged hate crime targeting Empire actor Jussie Smollett.

Smollett claims he was attacked by two men who put a rope around his neck and shouted gay and racial slurs as well as stating, “This is MAGA country.”

“[W]e have to understand this is happening for a reason,” Waters said. “Why all of a sudden do we have people unable to study while black, unable to mow a lawn while black, unable to have picnic while black, and being attacked? It’s coming from the president of the United States. He’s dog whistling every day. He’s separating and dividing, and he’s basically emboldening those folks who feel this way.”