Topline
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday fiercely condemned House Republicans for their efforts to bring firearms into the Capitol and their accommodation of hard-right members of their caucus, declaring “the enemy is within.”
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: Wearing a face mask to reduce the risk posed by the novel coronavirus ... [+]
Key Facts
During a press conference, Pelosi voiced support for a demand by 30 House members for increased spending on personal security for members because “the enemy is within the House of Representatives. A threat that members are concerned about.”
Pelosi said her comment was aimed at members, such as Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), who have attempted to bring guns into the Capitol, as well as those who have “threatened violence on other members” – though she didn’t point to particular incidents.
The remarks come after it was revealed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) – who, during the campaign, posted a photo of herself holding a gun saying she wants to go on “offense” against the progressive “squad” – expressed support for the execution of top Democrats, including Pelosi, on social media before she ran for Congress.
Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) encouraged conservative activists at a Turning Points USA event to “lightly threaten” members of Congress, while Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who has led the charge to allow guns in the Capitol, tweeted Pelosi’s whereabouts during the attack.
Pelosi also joined other top Democrats in condemning Greene’s appointment to the House Education and Labor Committee despite her denial of the Parkland and Sandy Hook shootings, asking, "What could they be thinking? Or is thinking too generous of a word for what they are doing?" and calling it “beyond the pale.”
Forbes has reached out to House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy’s office for comment.
Crucial Quote
"Kevin McCarthy must explain how someone with this background represents the Republican party on education issues,” Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), the chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, said in a statement on Thursday. “He is sending a clear message to students, parents, and educators about the views of the Republican party.”
Chief Critic
Greene has not denied reports about her comments, but she responded to them on Thursday by tweeting photos of her less controversial Facebook postings and asking, “Since the media wants to define me by my old social media posts, then why won’t they run breaking news stories on these old post [sic]
of mine?”Surprising Fact
Greene has been scrubbing her social media in the wake of the reports, deleting 19 tweets over the course of 12 hours on Thursday, according to CNN.
Tangent
Pelosi did not say whether she supports a resolution introduced by Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) on Tuesday to expel Greene from Congress for her “direct threat against the elected officials and staff who serve our government.”
What To Watch
A spokesperson for McCarthy, who has welcomed Greene and Boebert into the caucus and urged people to “give them an opportunity” in November, said in a statement Wednesday that Greene’s social media posts about executing Democrats are “deeply disturbing” and that McCarthy “plans to have a conversation with the Congresswoman about them.”
