Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene made a dramatic exit from a House committee hearing on Tuesday following heated exchanges over her comments on crime and accusations of hypocrisy regarding her stance on the January 6 Capitol attack.
Greene’s Remarks on Crime
During the House Oversight Committee hearing, Greene, a Georgia Republican, addressed the issue of crime in Washington, D.C., emphasizing the need for support for law enforcement.
Highlighting Death of Trump Associate
She highlighted recent incidents, including a former Trump administration official’s death from a gunshot wound sustained in a carjacking, to underscore what she described as an “ongoing crime epidemic” in the nation’s capital.
Lashed Out Against Trump Opposition
Greene also took a swipe at Democrats during the committee hearing for criticizing Trump. She said, “I also heard President Trump come under attack once again because Democrats have nothing else to say to defend their own policies but attack President Trump.”
Accusations of Hypocrisy
However, Greene’s remarks drew criticism from Democratic lawmakers, particularly Representative Robert Garcia of California, who accused her of hypocrisy for her alleged support of individuals involved in the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Coddling Insurrectionists
Garcia remarked, “That was a lot,” after Greene concluded her statement. He pointed out that it was ironic that Greene was worried about crime in the nation’s capital but that she was also “coddling” the “insurrectionists” who carried out the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021.
How Ironic
“I want to remind the gentlelady that it was her that actually organized a trip to the D.C. jail to hug and high-five and sit with the insurrectionists that actually attacked our Capitol,” he added. “So, if we’re talking about the safety of D.C., and the Capitol, it is quite, I think, ironic.”
Heated Exchange with Garcia
As Garcia addressed Greene’s alleged support for the insurrectionists, Greene stood up and walked out of the hearing, prompting further condemnation. She was heard shouting something as she exited the room, but it is unclear what.
Garcia’s Response
Representative Garcia, upon Greene’s departure, expressed disbelief at her actions. “She’s insane,” he posted afterward on X.
Previous Admonition to MGT From Garcia
The California Democrat has previously admonished Greene for her support of those jailed in connection to the Jan. 6 riots.
Last November, he told The MeidasTouch Podcast, “[T]he first thing she does when we walk in and meet them is greet them and hugs them and prays with them and apologizes and is treating them like heroes, and I’m sitting there going, this is disgusting. These people attacked our government, they tried to overthrow our government.”
Spokespersons’ Statements
In response to queries from the media, representatives for both Greene and Garcia defended their respective positions. Greene’s spokesperson told Newsweek “Did you see what she said before? Or do you only pay attention to left wing twitter?”, while Garcia’s press secretary reiterated the congressman’s commitment to upholding the integrity of Congress and condemning acts of domestic terrorism.
Ongoing Tensions
The incident underscores the ongoing tension within Congress over the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol attack and the role of lawmakers in addressing issues of public safety and accountability. As political divisions persist, confrontations like these are likely to continue shaping legislative debates and public discourse.