More than two dozen Democrats in the House of Representatives led by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-California) announced on Wednesday that they will hold a vote this Friday to censure Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Arizona) after he posted a crudely edited video on Twitter depicting him murdering Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) and President Joe Biden.
“For a Member of Congress to post a manipulated video on his social media accounts depicting himself killing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Biden is a clear cut case for censure. For that Member to post such a video on his official Instagram account and use his official congressional resources in the House of Representatives to further violence against elected officials goes beyond the pale,” the sponsoring lawmakers said in a joint statement.
Gosar infamously roused up the frenzied crowd of former President Donald Trump‘s supporters shortly before they stormed the United States Capitol in January. Gosar also voted to reject the results of the 2020 presidential election, latching himself onto Trump’s false claim that the contest was stolen.
“As the events of January 6th have shown, such vicious and vulgar messaging can and does foment actual violence,” the lawmakers said. “Violence against women in politics is a global phenomenon meant to silence women and discourage them from seeking positions of authority and participating in public life, with women of color disproportionately impacted. Minority Leader McCarthy’s silence is tacit approval and just as dangerous.”
Gosar, meanwhile, insisted that the video was meant as a joke and refused to apologize.
“It is a symbolic cartoon. It is not real life. Congressman Gosar cannot fly. The hero of the cartoon goes after the monster, the policy monster of open borders. I will always fight to defend the rule of law, securing our borders, and the America First agenda,” he said.
