“Maxine talked about confrontation like the civil rights movement,” Pelosi said. ‘I think I should take our lead with the George Floyd family. They handled it with great dignity. ”
Republicans responded quickly after Waters made her remarks. On Sunday, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) Said would she introduce a resolution to expel Waters from Congress, an attempt that is likely to fail in a Democratic-led House. Later that day, Kevin McCarthy, leader of the House of Minorities, said on Twitter that he would take action against Waters if Pelosi did not do so.
“Maxine Waters Stimulates Violence in Minneapolis – Just Like She’s In the Past,” McCarthy wrote. “If Speaker Pelosi does not act against this dangerous rhetoric, I will take action this week.”
GOP lawmakers also went to the floors of the Senate and House on Monday to express their displeasure over Waters’ behavior.
“It’s harder to suggest something more inappropriate than a member of Congress flying from California to inform local leaders, not so subtly, that this accused should be better convicted, otherwise there will be big problems. be in the streets, “said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) Said in a speech that if a Republican did what Waters did, Democrats would deprive the legislature of their commission mandates and possibly expel them from Congress. Instead of apologizing to Waters, Pelosi later told a reporter, “that woman on the floor should apologize for what she said.”
Waters told The Grio On Monday, her remarks were about “confronting the justice system, the policing that is going on”, through legislation and “talking”.
“I’m not worried they will continue to distort what I say,” she said. ‘This is who they are and this is how they act. And I’m not going to be bullied by them. ”
The California Democrat has a reputation for being outspoken, drawing the ire of President Donald Trump, who called her an “extraordinarily low IQ person” while in office. Waters, in turn, described the former president on Twitter as a ‘monster’ and an ‘incompetent idiot’.
She also attracted attention last week a powerful exchange with Representative Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who according to her bullied Anthony Fauci while testifying during a hearing on the Coronavirus subcommittee in the House.
“Your time is up, sir,” she told Jordan, who continued to speak after his time for questioning expired. “You must respect the chair and close your mouth.”