Debbie Wasserman Schultz seeks to censure House colleague for ‘inciting’ Capital riot

Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is introducing a resolution to censure her House colleague, Republican Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, for statements she argues contributed to last week’s Capitol building invasion.

Brooks was one of several speakers at the “Stop the Steal” rally that occurred before the crowd stormed the Capitol. At that speech, Brooks and other speakers repeated false and conspiratorial charges that Democrats “stole” the 2020 presidential election from President Donald Trump.

The rally took place the same day Congress would formalize President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. As Congress worked to do just that, Brooks told the crowd that day was “the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.”

Trump spoke during the same rally and urged his supporters to march to the Capitol, though did not directly advocate for breaking inside.

Wasserman Schultz and New Jersey Democratic Rep. Tom Malinoswki now say a reprimand is in order for Brooks.

“Congressman Mo Brooks aided President Trump in inciting an angry mob of rioters to attack our cradle of democracy by urging a fuming crowd galvanized on lies to ‘stop by the Capitol’ and start ‘kicking ass,’ ” Wasserman Schultz said.

“Not only did Congressman Brooks fuel an insurrection against the body he serves in, his words helped spark chaos, destruction, injuries and death. Censure seems too trifling a punishment in this horrific case, but it’s the minimal level of accountability Congressman Brooks should face from the same Congress he goaded rioters to assault.”

Wasserman Schultz has joined several of her House colleagues in pushing for more serious responses as well, such as President Trump’s removal. The Democratic controlled House appears to be moving forward with that plan this week, just days before Trump’s term is set to expire.

A Capitol Police officer died after he was struck during last week’s turmoil. Another officer shot and killed a Trump supporter, while three other crowd members died from “medical emergencies.”

A second Capitol police officer took his life just days after the event, though it’s unclear whether that death was connected to trauma stemming from the attack.

Trump promoted last week’s rally for weeks. He and his backers have stirred anger among his base since Trump lost the Nov. 3 election. Those urgings continued during Wednesday’s speech before the attack, including Brooks’ line about “taking down names and kicking ass.”

Brooks responded to criticism about his remarks, stating, “I make no apology for doing my absolute best to inspire patriotic Americans.”

Beyond refusing to apologize, Brooks has gone further by stating the Capitol invasion wasn’t even orchestrated by Trump backers, but rather by far-left antifa members. There is no evidence that is true, and several individuals arrested since the attack have expressed longtime support for President Trump.

“Rep. Brooks knew perfectly well what he was doing — and whom he was inciting — when he encouraged the mob set on storming the Capitol to commit violence on Wednesday,” Malinowski added Monday on his decision to cosponsor the censure resolution.

“His actions endangered the lives of his fellow members of Congress, the Vice President, and the police officers who bravely tried to defend the Capitol, and he deserves at the very least the formal condemnation of the House.”