House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy presents a resolution to censor Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters after he encouraged protesters in Minnesota to “stay on the streets” and “become more confrontational” if they don’t see return a guilty verdict Derek Chauvin judgment on the death of George Floyd.
Waters made the comments during a weekend protest, ahead of a verdict in the trial of Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree murder. Waters told reporters Chauvin should be found guilty.
“I hope we get a verdict that says guilty, guilty, guilty,” he said.
His comments also arose following the death of Daunte Wright, a black man murdered by a police officer in Minnesota.
When reporters asked Waters what would happen if justice was not done in the Chauvin trial courts, Waters replied, “We need to stay on the street. We need to be more active. We need to be more confronted. They need to know what we mean. business “.
Speaking to The Grio on Monday, she did not withdraw her claims and said she was “nonviolent”. He accused Republicans of twisting his words and using them as a fundraising opportunity.
“Republicans will jump on any word, any line and try to fit their message and cause to denounce and deny us, basically calling us violent … whenever they see the opportunity to take advantage one word, so they do and send a message to all white supremacists, the KKK, the guardians of the oath, the [Proud] Guys and all that, how is that moment [Republicans] to raise money [Democrats] backs, ”Waters told The Grio.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also defended Waters’ comments, saying Waters had “talked about confrontation in the manner of the Civil Rights movement” and said, “No, I don’t think I should apologize.” .
Chauvin’s lawyer, Eric Nelson, called for a court case over Waters’ statements, a request that was denied by Judge Peter Cahill. But he told Nelson, “I will give you that Congresswoman Waters may have filed something on appeal that could result in the revocation of this entire trial,” and said, “I would like elected officials to stop talking. in this case, especially in a way that does not respect the rule of law. ”
Republicans have accused Waters of igniting tensions.
“This weekend in Minnesota, Maxine Waters broke the law by violating the curfew and then incited violence,” McCarthy tweeted Monday evening. “President Pelosi ignores Waters ‘behavior, so I present a resolution to censor Waters’ representation for these dangerous comments.”
Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she would table a resolution to expel Waters from the House, a highly unlikely scenario.
The Chauvin trial jury is currently deliberating.
Waters has served in Congress since 1991 and is the chair of the House Financial Services Committee.
Nikole Killion and Rebecca Kaplan contributed to this report.