Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) introduced a resolution on Monday to censure and condemn Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) after the outspoken Trump critic called for administration officials to be harassed.
“Individuals have the right to debate their differences civilly, without fear of retribution,” Rep. Biggs said in a statement. “Unfortunately, Maxine Waters’ comments condone public violence and encourage actions that jeopardize the safety and security of government officials and the American people.”
“A little over a year ago, we witnessed a horrific shooting targeted at Congressional Republicans. That day, we promised that we would be better; that we would argue about ideas not people.”
“Unfortunately, we are returning to the vitriol of that day,” the statement continued. “Those determined to undermine the progress and agenda of President Donald Trump, have taken it upon themselves to demonize their opposition. As Members of Congress we have the responsibility to lead by example and this rhetoric is simply unacceptable.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), a co-sponsor of the resolution, called Water’s comments “deplorable.”
.@RepMaxineWaters' call this week to attack members of the #Trump administration is unacceptable & deplorable behavior. This is why I cosponsored @RepAndyBiggsAZ's bill today, demanding for the House of Representatives to censure and condemn Rep. Waters.
RT if you support. pic.twitter.com/NYkkw7CKx4
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) June 26, 2018
“.@RepMaxineWaters‘ call this week to attack members of the #Trump administration is unacceptable & deplorable behavior,” Rep. Gaetz tweeted on Tuesday. “This is why I cosponsored @RepAndyBiggsAZ‘s bill today, demanding for the House of Representatives to censure and condemn Rep. Waters.”
At an event on Saturday, Rep. Waters urged supporters to “create a crowd,” and “push back,” against Trump officials. “You tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere,” she ordered.
The California lawmaker later suggested to MSNBC that the Trump administration’s policies will likely lead to additional incidents of public harassment, referencing press secretary Sarah Sanders being asked to leave the Red Hen restaurant in Lexington, Virginia over the weekend.
“I have no sympathy for these people that are in this administration who know it’s wrong for what they’re doing on so many fronts,” Waters began. “They tend to not want to confront this president or even leave, but they know what they’re doing is wrong.”
“I want to tell you, these members of his cabinet who remain and try to defend him, they won’t be able to go to a restaurant, they won’t be able to stop at a gas station, they’re not going to be able to shop at a department store. The people are going to turn on them,” sheadded.
“They’re going to protest. They’re absolutely going to harass them until they decide that they’re going to tell the president, ‘No, I can’t hang with you.’
Rep. Waters reaffirmed her position on public harassment of Trump officials at a brief press conference on Monday.
“I stand by my speech in saying that the protests have already started, they’re probably going to continue,” she said.
President Donald Trump on Monday criticized the California Democrat’s comments, calling her “an extraordinarily low IQ person.”
“Congresswoman Maxine Waters, an extraordinarily low IQ person, has become, together with Nancy Pelosi, the Face of the Democrat Party. She has just called for harm to supporters, of which there are many, of the Make America Great Again movement. Be careful what you wish for Max!”