In an email to the newspaper on Monday, Rios wrote “Donald Trump is an asshat.”

On Tuesday, Rios told TV-9, "I do think he's an asshat to be honest with you. I don't think he's thinking things through."

The comment came after Rios signed an online petition asking the city council to declare Dubuque as an asylum for immigrants. The petition asks the city to resist any efforts by federal law enforcement agencies to arrest, detain, or deport anyone peacefully living in Dubuque. The petition says people should not be taken from their homes because of shortcomings in the federal immigration system.

Rios stands by his description of President Trump.