If you’ve been online or were able to catch any of the morning news, you no doubt saw a clip of newly sworn-in Rep. Rashida Tlaib enthusiastically telling celebrants at a party that Democrats will “impeach the motherfucker!” There has been a lot of pearl-clutching from the usual suspects, and let me be clear: I don’t think Tlaib’s comments were especially helpful. The sentiment is understandable, given the array of issues for which Trump has proven himself to be unfit for office, but Democrats have to let the process play out. Donald Trump cannot and will not be impeached without Republicans acting, and for that to happen, there will need to be overwhelming, damning evidence of illegal behavior. It is unfortunate that Tlaib’s comments are now overshadowing what was an absolutely glorious day and a fresh start for a progressive future, with a sea of new, diverse leadership in the U.S. Congress.
Having said that, where was the pearl-clutching over the last three years? Over the last 20 years? Dick Cheney once famously told Sen. Patrick Leahy to “go fuck yourself” on the floor of the United States Senate. Today, Cheney’s daughter, Liz Cheney, now a congresswoman from Wyoming, is publicly scolding Rep. Tlaib. Of course, Dick Cheney not only did not apologize, but he doubled down, saying "I think that a lot of my colleagues felt that what I had said badly needed to be said, that it was long overdue." You can probably guess without my saying it, but Cheney’s comments were celebrated by conservatives. He was seen as “strong.”
But we don’t have to go back to Dick Cheney’s disastrous era to see the double standard. Right now there is a sitting United States congressman who violently attacked a reporter in 2017. Worse, he lied about it to law enforcement. He didn’t even get a slap on the wrist; it was more of tickle. Not only did he go on to win the election, but Donald Trump celebrated the assault on a member of the media, to the cheers and delight of a rally crowd in October 2018. Which is worse?
Watch these clips below, especially the second one, a supercut, and ask yourself: Why is it that Democrats are continuously held to standards and ethics that don’t apply to Republicans? Motherfucker, pussy, beating the shit out of people. These were not only NOT condemned by Republicans; they made the man who said them their nominee.
And if you needed any more evidence of the GOP’s hypocrisy, watch Rep. Kevin McCarthy scold Rep. Tlaib and then turn and run from reporters when they question him about Donald Trump recently calling a woman “horseface.” Every Republican in sight begins running down the hallway.
Rep. Tlaib’s response this morning has been to stand strong. She’s not apologizing.