Mark Richards, a defense attorney for Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse, called Donald Trump Jr. an "idiot" in response to a since-deleted tweet from Trump Jr. announcing Gun Owners of America—a gun rights organization—will award Rittenhouse an AR-15.
Richards said he doesn't "have to expand on that," adding Trump Jr.'s behavior "speaks for itself."
But Richards went further, criticizing the "disgusting" Republican Party for trying to cash in on Rittenhouse's notoriety after he was acquitted of all charges relating to the fatal shootings of Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and injuring Gaige Grosskreutz during the Kenosha unrest, which took place after police officers shot Jacob Blake, an unarmed Black man, in the back leaving him partially paralyzed.
Speaking to Business Insider, Richards said:
"There's a lot of people trying to profit on this, and I don't think people should. They're raising money on it, and you have all these Republican congressmen saying come work for me."
"They want to trade on his celebrity, and I think it's disgusting."
Richards' statements referred to separate announcements from Republican Representatives Madison Cawthorn (North Carolina), Paul Gosar (Arizona) and Matt Gaetz (Florida) indicating their offices would offer Rittenhouse a position as a congressional intern.
Gosar, in particular, said he would "arm wrestle" Gaetz to "get dibs for Rittenhouse as an intern" and suggested elsewhere Rittenhouse should be granted the congressional Medal of Honor.
Rittenhouse's notoriety galvanized his supporters and family members who have used the issues surrounding his trial as an opportunity to fundraise. Similarly, The New York Timesreported political fundraisers on either side of the aisle have based appeals to their donors on the Rittenhouse trial.
Richards' statements attracted considerable attention, with many joining in his criticism of the Republican Party glorifying the killing of two men.
I don't like that killer Kyle Rittenhouse, but his attorney Mark Richards calling Donald Trump Jr. "an idiot" works for me
https://t.co/FaDjXf2Wnv
— Saúl Alejandro (@SaulAlejandr00) November 21, 2021
This whole story is wildly disturbing. https://t.co/xSUzWKK3on
— Kush Khanna (@Kushting) November 20, 2021
ANYONE WHO tries to use this issue for fame or notoriety, to advance their careers, promote a narrative are shameless!!! ANYONE ANYTIME! It is sad all around. Where is the humanity fir every person impacted. Opportunists https://t.co/OfdmwT0Ean
— #VOTE (@Oh_SayCanYouSee) November 20, 2021
Go ahead and celebrate Kyle's acquittal, but please do not let the contard conmen herd you back into the GQP (Grifter Q***r Party). The red meat may be enticing, but it is poisoned. https://t.co/leeowrPsds
— MAGA Pay Piggy 🦃🍂🐷 (@LDagrille) November 20, 2021
Grifters gotta grift. The criminals recognize one of their own. https://t.co/FYZinJuQno
— nancy mindes (@fancynancysays) November 21, 2021
And they are scoundrels, all they will ever be. https://t.co/uKHkyc1b2v
— Thy Penguin (@Flyingpenguin63) November 22, 2021
@DonaldJTrumpJr is simply a dangerous sick little man looking for any kind of attention. He's proud that Americans were murdered. He's a danger to democracy and American lives. https://t.co/Cz2lYIAAED
— TheResistance! AnaTrueBLUE💙 (@AmericaResists) November 22, 2021
Will Matt Gaetz take responsibility for any misfires this gun is involved in? Nope, just as now, until it is loud enough where he can hear. https://t.co/2BsYWE1UXQ
— Esmy V'real 🙋 (@VillarrealEsmy) November 22, 2021
😂😂😂
🐊Rittenhouse is now being used as a pawn by GOP + DJTrumps.
Now, he is enjoying it because ez 💰💵 without working.
Later on, in some years, he will want to get rid of this image, but NEVER FORGET to educate future generations of the true Rittenhouses... cruel monsters. https://t.co/E2c4dByGZm
— CUPCAKE Biden-Harris will MAGA 👍👍👏👏🥳🥳🥳🥳 (@CUPCAKEWILLIAM6) November 22, 2021
@DonaldJTrumpJr Even the attorney of the killer-kid knows you're an IDIOT. https://t.co/tMGRg184Rh
— Phoenix Mimi (@mimi_phoenix) November 22, 2021
In a separate interview with CNN, Richards also noted he did not approve of Tucker Carlson's Fox News film crew following Rittenhouse and his legal team around to film footage for a documentary.
Richards called the film crew a "definite distraction" and noted he threw the film crew "out of the room several times."
The documentary is expected to air on Carlson's show Monday night.
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