On Tuesday, the House of Representatives debated a measure to hold former President Donald Trump's ex-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, in contempt of Congress for his refusal to testify before the House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection.
Meadows had already turned over thousands of pages in documents regarding the events of January 6 before suddenly reversing his cooperation. Among those was a powerpoint Meadows included in an email detailing a disturbing "options" for the Trump administration to overrule the people's vote and install Trump for another term. There were also text exchanges between Meadows and Fox News hosts, as well as Donald Trump Jr., urging Meadows to convince Trump to tell his insurrectionist supporters to vacate the Capitol.
During the House debate, far-right Congresswoman and prominent conspiracy theorist Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia predictably pointed to the overwhelmingly peaceful protests against racist police brutality last summer as reason for dismissing an attack on the U.S. Capitol carried out by conservatives.
She also slammed Democratic members of Congress as communists.
The job of Congress is make laws, not enforce them.
But the Communists in charge of the House are purposely abusing the Constitution and the institution of Congress.
The J6 Committee is a kangaroo court & a total abuse of power.
I will vote NO to hold @MarkMeadows in contempt. pic.twitter.com/x8IceLi4AS
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) December 14, 2021
Greene said on the House floor:
"Somehow the communists here in charge have forgotten, or no not forgotten, are purposely abusing the Constitution and what this body of Congress is supposed to do."
Democratic Congressman and constitutional scholar Jamie Raskin of Maryland immediately responded to Greene's remark.
Raskin with some serious smoke for Marjorie Taylor Greene pic.twitter.com/hAMY2Nwzt3
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 14, 2021
He said:
"We are not 'communists' as the gentlelady from Georgia suggested. That's just the friends of the former President who you lionize, like the dictator of North Korea that he loves and Vladimir Putin, who said that the greatest tragedy of the 20th century was the collapse of the Soviet Union. So, those are your friends, don't put them on our side."
Raskin's retort came just days after Trump continued his long tradition of praising authoritarian rulers. At a speaking engagement with far-right pundit Bill O'Reilly this past weekend, the former President boasted about the "love letters" he received from North Korea's Kim Jong Un and how he "enjoyed" his interactions with Putin, saying he got along best with "tyrants."
People praised Raskin's rebuttal.
This isn't just smoke, though it is smoke. It's what the Democrats should do when accused of being "communists." The real authoritarian collective is the Republican Party. They have more on common with Putin's Russia and the CCP than they do America. https://t.co/mNf8LMBVpc
— *The* Editorial Board (@johnastoehr) December 14, 2021
Damn!!! She wasn't ready. I love Raskin!! https://t.co/QNi93Mz3Vr
— Bella August (@BellaAugust4) December 14, 2021
Bless her heart. Do not pick a fight with Rep Raskin. https://t.co/atUt8fVXMM
— GeorgiaPeach, THEE OG Biden Babe 🥁🇺🇸 (@ChrisFromGA68) December 14, 2021
That’s my Representative. 👏🏿 https://t.co/oqqyaWdwt3
— THEE Dorcas Escapade (@DorcasEssVaxxed) December 14, 2021
I continue to adore and be grateful for Raskin. https://t.co/wnFR3OI55R
— HelenHighly (@Helen_Highly) December 14, 2021
BRAVO @RepRaskin!
Thank you, sir! https://t.co/7HheZqEXLi
— Helen Duda (@PERsisterER) December 14, 2021
He wasn't the only one to call Greene out.
Even with the truth coming out, you still defend the #J6Insurrection & the #GOPCoupAttempt to overthrow our government and our election.
I thought Republicans were the party of law & order, Margie.
There you go using the fear mongering word, communist.
Tick Tock. https://t.co/FobW72Pf8o
— 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐚🕯 (@HoosierRebel44) December 14, 2021
The job of Congress is also OVERSIGHT of the Legislative and Executive Branches of government!
Do you even know what Communism is?
— Daniel Wear 🇺🇸 (@drwear) December 14, 2021
Obviously you don't know the functionality of the Congress. There are 3 co-equal branches of government. Congress keeps the Executive branch in check. That includes overseeing with committees (so sad you aren't on any) to get information on issues facing the country. Constitution
— Mission Groove (@missiongroove) December 14, 2021
More revelations regarding the Meadows documents are expected to emerge, with or without his cooperation.
