Rep. Eric Swalwell Deletes, Apologizes for ‘Boo Hoo’ Tweet Mocking Sen. Susan Collins Over Threats
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) faced backlash on Wednesday after tweeting a mocking response to a story about threats being made against Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and staff at her office in D.C. over the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh and the allegation of sexual assault against him.
Swalwell was quote tweeting an article from The Hill detailing threats that were being made toward Collins and staff.
“My office has received some pretty ugly voicemails, threats, terrible things said to my staff,” Collins said in an interview with WVOM on Wednesday.
[…]
“We’ve had some very abusive callers. … We’ve had some very vulgar calls and sort of harassing the staff,” Steve Abbot, Collins’s chief of staff, told a Maine TV station at the time.
In response, Swalwell tweeted “Boo hoo hoo” to the female senator. He received a lot of backlash on Twitter (along with approval and retweets), and on Thursday morning even engaged some of the criticism. Here is his reply to CNN’s Jake Tapper.
Yes. No one should make threats. This is a democracy: Be loud and be heard. We don’t use violence. I didn’t mean to suggest that. But I’m pissed how this victim’s safety has been ignored and a rush to confirm has been prioritized. Why not offer the witness security? https://t.co/xzds16EuRx
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) September 20, 2018
He first says he did not mean to suggest not taking threats seriously or being dismissive of violence. Then he asked “Why not offer the witness security?”
Tapper replied and pointed out that Sen. Susan Collins had herself suggested the same thing.
.@SenatorCollins said in that same radio interview: “I think we need to provide her with any protection that she may ask for, for herself and for her family.”
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) September 20, 2018
He deleted the mocking tweet and, about ten minutes after the exchange with Tapper, offered his apology via Twitter.
Sexual assault victims deserve respect. And senators shouldn’t be threatened by the public. I said something stupid and minimized ugly behavior. That tweet is deleted and I’m sorry for that.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) September 20, 2018
Currently there is no response from Susan Collins.
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