In a statement released Sunday, 17 female members of the Congressional Black Caucus requested an apology from White House Chief of Staff John Kelly to Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) for his "blatant lies."

This call for an apology comes after the Trump administration tried to discredit and demonize Wilson over the true circumstances of Trump's call to Myeshia Johnson, the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson. 

"The women of the Congressional Black Caucus stand in strong support of our colleague, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson," the statement reads. "Congresswoman Wilson is a woman of impeccable integrity and a dedicated public servant. She is a highly respected member of Congress who has demonstrated extremely competent leadership on a number of important issues."

“We were appalled by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly’s statements where he called Congresswoman Wilson an ‘empty barrel’ and accused her of taking credit for securing funding for a new FBI Building in Miramar, Florida that was named after two fallen FBI agents, Benjamin Grogan and Jerry Dove," the statement continues. "A video of Congresswoman Wilson’s comments on that day has been released, and it provides indisputable proof that she never made any of the statements of which General Kelly falsely accused her."

Kelly accused Wilson of inappropriately listening to Trump's call to the widow of Army Sgt. La David Johnson. Kelly made an unusual appearance during the White House press briefing to address Wilson's claim that President Donald Trump was insensitive during a call with Myeshia Johnson. Johnson has since confirmed Wilson's claims. 

Kelly also alleged that the Florida representative flippantly claimed credit for getting funding for a Miami FBI building that was dedicated to two slain agents. Video from the event directly refutes Kelly's claims. Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended Kelly, a four-star general, by saying it was inappropriate to criticize someone of his rank.

“General Kelly’s comments are reprehensible," the women of the CBC wrote. "Congresswoman Wilson’s integrity and credibility should not be challenged or undermined by such blatant lies. We, the women of the Congressional Black Caucus, proudly stand with Congresswoman Wilson and demand that General Kelly apologize to her without delay and take responsibility for his reckless and false statements.” 

The women of the CBC have spoken, and if the Trump administration has learned anything by now, it should be that black women are not easily intimidated.