House Democrats are demanding House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy take “immediate action” against Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia), whose behavior they say “could lead to violence against members of Congress.”
During an appearance at a Trump rally in Ohio last weekend, Greene falsely claimed that Trump won the 2020 election and called Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) a “little communist from New York City.” The latter statement led to the crowd shouting “lock her up” while Greene nodded encouragingly.
Ocasio-Cortez has joined a group of 39 other representatives to attempt to reign in Greene’s aggressive behavior. The group is led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington). Reps. Cori Bush of (D-Missouri) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) have also joined the list of Democrats in support of Jayapal’s mission.
The Democrats wrote in a letter that Greene’s conduct has reached an “unacceptable level,” citing Greene’s posting an anti-transgender sign near the office of a lawmaker who has a transgender child as an example.
The letter reads: “Rep. Greene’s conduct does not comport with what we expect from a member of the House of Representatives. Moreover, we are extremely concerned that her conduct is creating an unsafe work environment for members, and that her actions could lead to violence against members of Congress.”
McCarthy has distanced himself from Greene in the past and has even attempted to get her to change her behavior. “Her past comments now have much greater meaning,” McCarthy said. “Marjorie recognized this in our conversation. I hold her to her word, as well as her actions going forward.”
But McCarthy has yet to take action to control Greene’s behavior.
And, now, Democrats are trying a final appeal to McCarthy. “We respectfully request that you work with her to address these issues with her and ensure that this type of behavior no longer continues,” they wrote in their letter.
Greene flatly rejected the group’s criticisms. “I receive constant harassment in public caused by the Democrat lies promoted by the media,” Greene told CNN. “Democrats singled me out and kicked me off committees for doing nothing wrong, and the death threats haven’t stopped since.”
