Critics slam Montana’s GOP governor for going 'MIA' as historic flooding triggers state of emergency
On June 14 and 15, flooding was so severe in Yellowstone National Park — which is mostly in northwestern Wyoming but extends into parts of Montana and Idaho — that miles of roads were wiped out. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, who declared a statewide disaster, is drawing a great deal of criticism for being out of the country during the flooding.
NBC News, on June 15, reported, “Although he's used social media for updates and communication, Gianforte has not been seen in person. His office has been tight-lipped on his whereabouts.”
When NBC News contacted the Republican governor’s office about his whereabouts, his office responded, “Before flooding began in South-Central Montana, Gov. Gianforte left the country late last week on a long-scheduled personal trip with the first lady. He is returning early and as quickly as possible. I will provide you with additional information when it is available.”
Gianforte’s office, however, wouldn’t specify where he was.
Journalist/author Kathleen McLaughlin, in a thread posted on Twitter on June 15, slammed Gianforte for being “MIA” during a major crisis:
\u201cSorry but I just can't get over the fact that the extremely wealthy governor of Montana is MIA during a historic crisis - one that most affects people who aren't rich - and just, nobody will say where he is. What a time.\u201d— Kathleen McLaughlin (@Kathleen McLaughlin) 1655305415
\u201cPractically speaking, if he didn't want to do the work, which it appears he does not, he could simply have saved all the money he spent getting elected and let someone competent have the job.\u201d— Kathleen McLaughlin (@Kathleen McLaughlin) 1655305415
\u201cOh look, the head of FEMA made it to Montana before the governor did. https://t.co/he7O5ahJIh\u201d— Kathleen McLaughlin (@Kathleen McLaughlin) 1655305415
McLaughlin noted that Gianforte, a former congressman, is the Republican who infamously assaulted a reporter in 2017 for asking him a question about health care that he didn’t like. The reporter was The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs.
\u201cAnd yes, it is the same guy who slammed a reporter to the ground and broke his glasses for asking a question about health care, and still got elected governor.\u201d— Kathleen McLaughlin (@Kathleen McLaughlin) 1655305415
Gianforte, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2017 to January 2021, supported overturning the Affordable Care Act of 2010, a.k.a. Obamacare, despite the fact that doing so would have caused millions of Americans to lose their health insurance. Gianforte body slammed Jacobs and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault; he was fined and given a six-month deferred sentence and served no jail time.
Gianforte’s history of violence didn’t stop him from being reelected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018 and being elected governor in 2020.
Here are some responses to McLaughlin’s thread:
\u201c@dieselnyc1 @kemc MFP:\n\nGG is an elected Governor. The public HAS to know EXACTLY where he is at all times. If he didnt like that, he shouldn\u2019t have run for office.\u201d— Kathleen McLaughlin (@Kathleen McLaughlin) 1655305415
\u201c@ZebraZest @kemc It doesn't matter that the flood is also in WY. He's the governor of Montana, which is having an emergency. He should be leading. Instead he's somewhere he doesn't want people to know about--Hungary? Russia? Or (and yes it's already been said) the Appalachian Trail?\u201d— Kathleen McLaughlin (@Kathleen McLaughlin) 1655305415
\u201c@kemc I do not understand Montana. I thought the people were tough. I guess I read too many cowboys books. My blue state would destroy our Governor, if he was not on tv 24/7 during a weather emergency. The Government work for us not the other way around.\u201d— Kathleen McLaughlin (@Kathleen McLaughlin) 1655305415
\u201c@kemc Most GOP are of the string opinion that the government should do less and be smaller. Which often means not dealing with issues or problems in any way, and letting things sort themselves out, and then blaming the government and dems for the issues that arise from doing nothing.\u201d— Kathleen McLaughlin (@Kathleen McLaughlin) 1655305415
\u201c@kemc When you understand that he probably doesn't believe in government and thinks it should all be turned over to private industry, this makes more sense. Republicans don't seek good government, they seek to destroy it and leave the spoils to their rich friends.\u201d— Kathleen McLaughlin (@Kathleen McLaughlin) 1655305415
\u201c@kemc This is what some of our elected officials do!\n\nHave you checked Cancun? That's where our lovely Senator Cruz went when we were in the middle of the worst winter storm in the longest time in Texas.\u201d— Kathleen McLaughlin (@Kathleen McLaughlin) 1655305415
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