Republican candidate Greg Gianforte beat up a reporter, lied about it, and got charged with assault anyway because there were witnesses. Republican lawmakers are cool with him beating up reporters, mostly.
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), for example, was quoted by the Associated Press saying, “It’s not appropriate behavior. Unless the reporter deserved it.” Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) denounced violence, but said “the left” has “precipitated this tense, confrontational approach” nationwide. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) went further, but even his concerns came with a caveat.“I do not think this is acceptable behavior, but the choice will be made by the people of Montana,” Ryan said during a press conference in Washington.
That’s right, the people of Montana will decide if a violent criminal is allowed in the Republican caucus, because as far as Congressional Republicans are concerned, being a violent criminal is not disqualifying. As long as you’re violent toward a reporter, that is.
Rank and file Republicans openly praise the violence.
A guy who’ll slap a reporter around deserves office most of all.
This guy is a hero. He gave this reporter what he deserved. What they all deserve. They are the enemy of the American People. Evil incarnate. They must be destroyed root and branch.
Anyone who smacks a scum-sucking reporter can’t be all bad. Hope he wins the election.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Republican, even thinks this is a good time to joke about shooting reporters. Apparently it’s not something that makes you lose Republican votes. Gianforte won the election.