'You’re sick': Two GOP reps slam far-right Arizona congressman for saying police 'executed' a Capitol rioter
During a House Oversight Committee hearing on June 15, Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona had a lot to say about Ashli Babbitt, a Capitol rioter who was killed on January 6. Gosar, a far-right Trump supporter and GOP conspiracy theorist of the Marjorie Taylor Greene/Lauren Boebert variety, said that Babbitt was "executed" by police who were "lying in wait" for her. And two conservative Republicans who are calling Gosar out are Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming.
During the hearing, Gosar told FBI Director Christopher Wray, "It's disturbing. The Capitol police officer that did this shooting appeared to be hiding, lying in wait and then gave no warning before killing her."
In response, Kinzinger — a Never Trump conservative — tweeted:
You\u2019re sick Paul, sadly. Truth is, Ashli was manipulated by people like you and breached an area and put lives in danger despite being repeatedly warned not to. The real criminals are the liars abusing people for political power.https://twitter.com/joshgerstein/status/1404901405291319310\u00a0\u2026— Adam Kinzinger (@Adam Kinzinger) 1623808370
Cheney was equally critical of Gosar, tweeting:
On January 6, as the violent mob advanced on the House chamber, I was standing near @RepGosar and helped him open his gas mask. The Capitol Police led us to safety. It is disgusting and despicable to see Gosar lie about that day and smear the men and women who defended us.https://twitter.com/joshgerstein/status/1404901405291319310\u00a0\u2026— Liz Cheney (@Liz Cheney) 1623807608
Politico reporter Josh Gerstein, on Twitter, noted that Babbitt's death has been investigated by D.C. Police, who concluded that the officer who shot her did not use excessive force.
An investigation by D.C. Police and the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office in D.C. found that the officer\u2019s actions did not warrant prosecution.— Josh Gerstein (@Josh Gerstein) 1623790379
Babbitt was among the many Trump supporters who went to Washington, D.C. on January 6 to oppose Congress' certification of now-President Joe Biden's Electoral College victory in the 2020 election. When a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol Building, Babbitt was part of that group.
- How the death of a Capitol rioter has become increasingly ‘polarizing and politicized’ - Alternet.org ›
- Republican's own sister goes on CNN to say he is so ‘hateful and bigoted’ she won't talk to him - Alternet.org ›
- Trump's 'chilling' embrace of Ashli Babbitt shows he's coming around to openly backing the riot: columnist - Alternet.org ›
