House GOP Disciplines Dem Lawmaker, Removes Her From Committees Over Warning To Trump Supporters
A Dem lawmaker in Michigan, Rep. Cynthia Johnson (D), has been stripped of her committee seats by state officials after she issued a “warning” to supporters of President Trump.
Michigan’s Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield condemned Johnson’s comments before saying she would be stripped of her seats on the House Agriculture, Oversight and Families, Children and Seniors committees.
“Threats to Democrats or Republicans are unacceptable and un-American,” Chatfield said. “They’re even more unbecoming of an elected official. Rep. Johnson has been stripped of her committees and we’re looking into further disciplinary action as the proper authorities conduct their investigation.”
“We have been consistent in our position on this — violence and intimidation is never appropriate in politics. We have said that about threats against Gov. Whitmer, Secretary (of State Jocelyn) Benson, Rep. Johnson herself, and others. That applies to threats made toward public officials, and it must also apply when the threats come from public officials. Behavior like this will not be tolerated this term or next,” he said.
From The Hill:
Rep. Cynthia Johnson (D) over the weekend made a series of Facebook posts saying she was being targeted and harassed by people from around the country. Some of her social media posts contained audio of voicemails containing death threats.
One caller told the Black lawmaker she would be “hanging from the gallows” for her aggressive questioning of Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani during a hearing last week on allegations of voter fraud.
In separate Facebook posts published this week, Johnson told her supporters that “enough is enough” and told the president’s backers to “be careful” and “walk lightly.”
“And for those of you who are soldiers, you know how to do it. Do it right. Be in order. Make them pay,” Johnson said, according to the Detroit News.
In another post on Wednesday, Johnson urged “soldiers against racism” and “misogyny” to “rise.”
Chatfield and Wentworth did not say what authorities, if any, are investigating the statements made by Johnson or outline what additional discipline is possible.
At the start of the Tuesday Facebook video, Johnson thanks “everybody who is supporting our efforts, and when I say our efforts, I’m talking about doing things right and in order.”
“Don’t get upset with folks, and start cussing them out and all that. Don’t. It never works,” she states.
“Be smart. You don’t have to yell. You don’t have to curse anybody out. You don’t have to call people names. Hit their asses in the pocketbook. Hit ‘em in the pocketbook.”
In a second video posted Wednesday morning, Johnson elaborated on her message to “soldiers.”
“All you soldiers, soldiers of Christ. Soldiers against racism. Soldiers against misogyny. Soldiers against domestic violence and domestic terrorism. Soldiers: Rise, it’s time for you to rise,” Johnson said in a portion of the video.
In a press released Wednesday, Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox said Johnson was inciting violence with her “deranged Facebook rant” posted Tuesday.
“It was distressing to know that Representative Johnson received threats after last week’s hearing, however by issuing threats of violence of her own against the supporters of President Trump she has sunk to the same level as the unhinged individuals who threatened her,” Johnson said, calling on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Democrats to denounce Johnson’s comments.