“My message to Kevin McCarthy is that you should take away all her committee assignments … also do not support her if she is re-elected and try to get her by-election. If you say it’s not your party, you should. shout it out and hold her accountable, ‘Hogg told CNN’s Alisyn Camerota on’ New Day ‘.
He continued, ‘Republicans always act as if they are the party of decency and respect. But would the party of decency and respect question whether shooting incidents took place or not? Would they harass the survivors of this shooting because they had different opinions than theirs? I do not think so. And if Kevin McCarthy does not think so too, he must stand up to do something to this congresswoman. ‘
Greene, who was appointed to the House’s Education and Labor Committee, has faced calls for resignation after reports that she agrees with comments calling the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman High School a ‘false flag’ operation, which refers to acts designed by offenders to make them appear to have been performed by other individuals or groups. Hogg survived the shooting and has since been a staunch supporter of stricter gun regulation and co-founder of March for Our Lives.
In the video, Greene follows Hogg, 18, at the time, as he walks to the U.S. Capitol and is heard with unsubstantiated allegations as she asks him questions about gun rights and how he could meet with senators. Hogg continues without addressing Greene.
“He’s a coward,” Greene says at the end of the video as Hogg walks away, claiming his activism is funded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros, who is often the subject of far-right conspiracy theories and other liberals. “He can not say a word, because he can not defend his position.”
Greene did not apologize in a statement to CNN, saying the video was taken while she was in Washington, “from office to office in the Senate to oppose the radical gun control agenda that has driven David Hogg.”
Hogg reflected on his meeting with Greene on Thursday and told Camerota he was trying to “keep a straight face” and practice meditation that helps him deal with PTSD and ADHD.
“Sometimes it’s just, you know, like I grew up with, it’s just better not to react to bullying and just walk away,” Hogg said.
He also said he “absolutely” felt it was a threat when Greene said in the video that she was carrying a gun, but told himself “if they shoot me, they’re proving my point.”
“And the reality is that they can not kill a movement,” he told Camerota.
Mark Bednar, a spokesman for McCarthy, said in a statement to CNN on Wednesday that her comments were “deeply disturbing” and that the Republican in California “intends to have a conversation with the congresswoman about it.”
This story has been updated with additional comments and background information.
CNN’s Paul LeBlanc contributed to this report.