First DCCC web video of the cycle shows how House Republicans gave rise to Trump
Today, the DCCC is releasing its first national web video of the cycle – How did we get here? – featuring several examples of Congressional Republicans who preceded and have echoed Donald Trump’s violent rallies, birther rhetoric, and hateful words about immigrants and women. The video, which includes footage of Trump-like comments by current House Republicans, comes the day after House Republicans’ Select Panel held yet another anti-women’s health hearing – despite efforts by many House Republicans to distance themselves from Donald Trump’s suggestion that women be punished for having an abortion.
The video shines a light on “birther” conspiracy comments from vulnerable Congressmen Mike Coffman (CO-06) and Scott Garrett (NJ-05), and hateful comments about immigrants by Congressmen Don Young (AK-AL) and Mo Brooks (AL-05). In addition, footage from a 2010 Tea Party rally on Capitol Hill serves as a reminder that years before the violence at Trump rallies, Tea Partiers spit on a Member of Congress and threw ugly racial and anti-gay epithets at multiple Members. All the same, House Republicans, including Speaker Paul Ryan, gladly rode the Tea Party wave that added to their ranks. As noted in the DCCC’s recent report, The Origin of Trump, there are dozens more examples of just how culpable House Republicans are for the rise of Trump.
“The chaotic GOP presidential primary has been marked by hateful rhetoric, nasty insults, violent rallies and a race to the far right that threatens vulnerable House Republicans across the country,” said Christie Stephenson of the DCCC. “Anyone asking themselves ‘how did we get here?’ needn’t look further than the House Republican Conference and their Members’ own deplorable words and actions. From the violent 2010 Tea Party rallies on the Hill, to yesterday’s anti-women’s health hearing, House Republicans created the very thing that threatens them most this fall – a fractious, noxious presidential primary that will produce an extreme nominee.”