National Republican Congressional Committee put out inflammatory press release targeting Rep. Craig politically 6 days after her assault
Rep. Craig has been a vocal opponent of the ‘defund the police’ movement for years
WASHINGTON, DC – Not even a week after U.S. Representative Angie Craig was the victim of a violent, random assault in her Washington DC apartment building, Fox News’ “The Five” launched a new round of false attacks on Rep. Craig’s record during their Wednesday afternoon show, working from opposition research released earlier in the day by the NRCC.
“If you want to defund the police, we’ll notify 9-1-1. Whenever you call them, you don’t get the police … That’s what they want, that’s what they should get. But now that the Congresswoman has been victimized, now she feels your pain? Nonsense,” said Jeanine Pirro on Wednesday’s show. “And for those who say ‘at least now she’s on our side’ – baloney … You’ve done your damage, stick with it. Defund the police as it relates to you.”
“Harassing the victim of a violent crime on national television is abhorrent behavior. The messages and threats received by Rep. Craig’s office following the NRCC hit job and Fox News’ false and inflammatory coverage of her assault represent the worst of our society,” said Rep. Craig’s communications director Laura Cottrell. “We are sharing these difficult messages to help everyone understand the impact of this careless rhetoric and what happens after these reckless political attacks. It’s dangerous. It’s gutter politics at its worst.”
“Angie Craig has always been and will always be a vocal opponent of the ‘defund the police’ movement. That is a fact, no matter what her political opponents say,” said retired Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie.
Conveniently excluded from the NRCC release and The Five’s coverage are the following facts:
Rep. Craig was endorsed by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the largest police union in Minnesota for rank and file officers, as well as just-retired Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie in the 2022 election cycle because of her long-standing support for law enforcement.
Rep. Craig was the first Democratic official in Minnesota to speak out against the effort to eliminate the Minneapolis Police Department.
Rep. Craig has secured millions of dollars in funding to hire more officers in her community, for community oriented policing programs and police safety initiatives in Minnesota during her time in Congress.
Rep. Craig authored legislation requiring every Member of Congress to participate in a police ride-along during their first year in office.
Rep. Craig helped pass the bipartisan Public Safety Officer Support Act to expand access to benefits and resources for the families of police officers who die by suicide.
Below is a sampling of the messages received by Rep. Craig’s office in the hours following the NRCC release and Fox News coverage on Wednesday:
“I’m listening to your story on ‘The Five’ … you know what you need that would really make you feel better. You let that poor black guy out of prison and you let him throat fuck you until you come to your senses. That’s what you need. You need a good throat fucking. What a despicable bitch.” (AUDIO)
“I’m reading ‘Democratic lawmaker ties to defund the police calls for a crackdown on crime’ because you were assaulted … You’re a hypocrite. You created this shithole country with your ‘oh my god, look, defund the police’ but now because you get beat up you don’t like it anymore?” (AUDIO)
“Finally this piece of shit gets accosted … Mother fucker you should have got fucking attacked. You deserved it, you piece of shit … And your fucking staff is just as bad. You pieces of shit you deserve what you got. I hope the fuckers get you again you fucking whore … And now go crying to the fucking cops, the ones you tried to fucking destroy, you fucking whore.” (AUDIO)
“Well Ms. Craig, you now know what it’s like to be attacked. I’m glad this happened to you actually, to be honest. Now maybe you’ll be able to pull your head out of your ass and you’ll realize how a lot of people that live in Minnesota, how they like guns and they believe in the Second Amendment, how maybe you will representative people across the United States, not just Minnesotans, but people across the United States on the Second Amendment and maybe yourself, you, will be able to pack a gun in your purse.” (AUDIO)
“Yes, Representative, Craig. I was just calling because I wanted to say I am so glad that you were attacked. I really am. I mean, I hate it in one way, but I’ve been saying probably for the last two years, at least year and a half, and until our Congress people and politicians are getting attacked, nothing is going to change. Nothing was going to happen. So it’s about time that y’all started getting attacked because like I said nothing was going to change and now, you know what it feels like … That’s what I’m hoping for, is that a lot more people in Congress and our Senators are starting to get attacked so that we do start seeing some changes.” (AUDIO)
“Didn’t you support defund the police. I’m so glad you got attacked. Maybe now, you’ll, you’ll care about somebody else. You fucking asshole, fucking hypocrite. Fuck you. Fuck you.” (AUDIO)
“So I didn’t finish my message, forgive me for being rude, but I’m just so sick of the ignorance and stupidity in this country. But you know what, the next time you get the fucking shit beat out of you, I hope the police don’t come. I hope the police sit in their car and I hope they finish eating their pizza before they answer a call to save your sorry hypocritical ass. I hope they don’t come to your rescue.” (AUDIO)
“That’s what happens when you defund the police, genius. I hope it happens to you again, because you deserve it. And don’t call the police for help, fucking you.” (AUDIO)
The threats are being reported to U.S. Capitol Police.
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