Congressman Introduces Resolution Calling for Maxine Waters’s Resignation

A new resolution was introduced in the wake of comments by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) in which she called for supporters of the Democratic Party to harass Trump administration officials in public.

In the past few weeks, three members of the Trump administration have been heckled and kicked out of restaurants over their political affiliation.

On June 25, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) introduced a resolution to censure and condemn Waters for her violence-inciting comments.

“Individuals have the right to debate their differences civilly, without fear of retribution,” Biggs said in a statement after introducing the resolution. “Unfortunately, Maxine Waters’ comments condone public violence and encourage actions that jeopardize the safety and security of government officials and the American people.”

Waters, who represents California’s 43rd congressional district, made the heated comments at a rally in Los Angeles on June 23.

She stated: “Let’s make sure we show up wherever we have to show up. If you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd and you push back on them, and you tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere.”

H.Res. 962 also called for Waters to issue a formal apology to members of the Trump administration and to “immediately resign from office to allow an individual more befitting.”

Waters comments also caught the ire of President Donald Trump, who criticized her on Twitter.

“Congresswoman Maxine Waters, an extraordinarily low IQ person, has become, together with Nancy Pelosi, the Face of the Democrat Party. She has just called for harm to supporters, of which there are many, of the Make America Great Again movement. Be careful what you wish for Max!” Trump wrote on June 25.

Since the president was elected, his staff members, family members, allies, and supporters have all been subjected to similar provocation and badgering. Waters pushed that trend to a new level by openly calling on her supporters to confront Trump’s team in public.

Divided Party

Biggs is not the only one concerned with the current rhetoric.

Some Democrats have distanced themselves from Waters, citing concerns that her comments go too far and could hurt the party’s bottom line in the upcoming midterm election. The incident has sparked an internal debate in the Democratic Party.

On June 25, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi took to Twitter to urge for civility, particularly since Democrats are trying to regain control of the House.

“Trump’s daily lack of civility has provoked responses that are predictable but unacceptable. As we go forward, we must conduct elections in a way that achieves unity from sea to shining sea,” she said.

Former Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod echoed Pelosi’s comments, calling the current rhetoric, “counter-productive.”

“Rousting Cabinet members from restaurants is an empty and, ultimately, counter-productive gesture that won’t change a thing,” Axelrod wrote in a tweet on June 25.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer went further on the Senate floor on June 25, saying that harassment is never the answer.

“No one should call for the harassment of political opponents. That’s not right. That’s not American,” he said.

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