Yesterday, the House censured Representative Paul Gosar – a Republican from Arizona – after he tweeted an animated video depicting him killing Alexandria and attacking the President.
But Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy criticized the censure, saying it was “unprecedented.”
It’s a sad day when a member of Congress who leads a political party in the United States of America cannot bring themselves to say that issuing a depiction of murdering a colleague is wrong.
By downplaying this incitement of violence as a “joke,” Rep. Gosar and others betray the meaning and importance of the work that happens in the people’s Capitol. They convey that everyday actions of elected leaders in the United States of America don’t matter.
But they do matter. When leaders in our country incite violence against their colleagues in Congress, that violence trickles down into violence in the rest of the country.
This resolution to censure Representative Gosar for his disgusting and desperate attack against Alexandria is about more than her or even him — it’s about drawing the line. It’s about the core recognition of human dignity, value, and worth.
While Alexandria doesn’t allow these desperate attacks to get in the way of doing her job, this behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our government, or any professional workplace.
This is not the first time Alexandria has been the target of attacks. From Representative Ted Yoho first calling Alexandria “a f— b—” on the steps of the Capitol, to Representative Marjory Taylor Greene chasing after Alexandria screaming and then stalking her office with fellow insurrectionists.
In any other workplace, a coworker making a cartoon video killing another coworker would be fired. Not in the U.S. House of Representatives, though.
The decision to censure Representative Gosar is not as complex as Republican Minority Leader McCarthy would like many folks to believe. It’s pretty cut and dry. The questions we must ask ourselves are: Do we find this behavior acceptable? Would you allow depictions of violence against women, against colleagues, in your home? Do you think that this should happen on a school board, in a city council, or in a church?
If not, then why is it acceptable in the United States House of Representatives?
It shouldn’t be. If you agree, add your name here now to show your support for the resolution to censure Rep. Gosar.
Thank you,
Team AOC
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