Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, criticized Democrats for behaving like “children”, during President Donald Trump’s address Tuesday to the joint session of Congress.
Leavitt, speaking to reporters at the White House’s press conference on Wednesday, said that Democrats behaved in a way that was “completely disgraceful” and showed how out of touch they were with Americans. It was the worst moment ever in presidential speeches and the beautiful chamber. This was supposed to unite our nation.
Democrats began to shout “USA” at Trump as soon as he opened his speech. Republicans responded by doing the same. Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) became especially rowdy and began to shout at Trump and wave his cane. Green’s interruption prompted Mike Johnson (R-La.) to order the Sergeant at Arms to remove Green.
Leavitt also criticized Democrats for not standing up for the “everyday Americans”, including DJ Daniel (a 13-year old boy who has survived cancer), who attended Trump’s speech. Daniel was officially inducted as a Secret Service agent by Trump on Tuesday. Daniel was given a standing-ovation by the majority of those in attendance, but not all Democrats.
Leavitt also claimed that Democrats had ignored the mothers who lost their children to illegal immigration, Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray.
Leavitt stated, “Last evening was a moment of clarity for our nation. The Democrats have exposed themselves as a party of hate and insanity, a party that wants America to be last. We will not let them forget this. They have allowed the Trump derangement to prevent them from celebrating America, our people, and ourselves.”
On Tuesday, Trump said to Members of Congress that his Administration would strive to “take America’s destiny in our own hands”. He also promised that this would be “our greatest era”, where he would fight to create the most liberated civilization.
Trump has also promised to reduce inflation and wage a “war” against drug cartels. He urged legislators to increase funding for border protection to pay for the deportations, as his administration “launched [the] most comprehensive border and immigration crackdown (in American history)”.
Republicans, meanwhile, are trying to punish Democrats for the behavior they displayed on Tuesday. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) is leading an effort to submit a resolution of censure against Green for “willfully interrupting the joint session and remaining defiant” as well as “bringing disrepute to United States Congress.”
According to the House of Representatives, a censure is “a small slap” on the hand for lawmakers who express the House’s disapproval of misconduct by members that does not reach the expulsion threshold. The house passed the resolution with a majority vote. The censured legislator is then read the resolution as a rebuke in the House well.
Green, however, said that he was prepared to accept the consequences for his actions.
Green told the White House Press Pool that he was willing to accept any punishment. I didn’t tell anyone ‘don’t punish me’. I’ve already said that I will accept punishment.”
