MAGA extremists are using violence to cause 'chaos in our communities': Swalwell
Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has been the subject of endless hatred and conspiracy theories from the right, and it has led him to be repeatedly targeted with death threats against himself and his family, with threats coming from everyone from a lab worker in Indiana to even a former NFL player.
Swalwell opened up about that experience on MSNBC following the arrest of a January 6 rioter in a plot to storm former President Barack Obama's house, shortly after former President Donald Trump published that address.
"Congressman, I don't want to replay the threats, we've played them on this program, the voicemails threatening your life and the life of your family, and I think some of your staffers," said anchor Nicolle Wallace. "But they're real and they change the way you go about your life, and more tragically — and I think this was the impact of Paul Pelosi's attack on anyone in the public arena — they change your family's life forever. They rob them of their privacy, of their ability to feel anonymous anywhere they go, and of their sense of security."
Swalwell concurred.
"MAGA extremism is so bankrupt of any ideas that it really relies on violence and threats and ultimately chaos, you know, to tear apart our communities," said Swalwell. "And, yes, too often the victims are family and staff, who are often in fixed positions, while the target of the threats is often on the move. And that's what's so disturbing."
"There has to be accountability," Swalwell continued. "Too often, you know, because it's very difficult to prosecute these threats or get the police to bring cases forward, I have to just repost the threats online and have found out that the individuals have been fired or lost their jobs or ultimately they take down their accounts because of the shame. But you have to push back. That's the only language, you know, many of these bullies understand. But there has to be legal accountability. I'm actually working on the Judiciary Committee to reshape the criminal threats language that prosecutors can use, of course make sure we respect freedom of speech, but make sure you can't use violence to intimidate public officials. That's the aim of MAGA extremism."
Eric Swalwell says MAGA extremists are causing "chaos in our communities" www.youtube.com