Sarah Toce
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair, took to the Senate floor to rebuke Republicans for their hypocrisy in jumping to condemn violence directed at Tesla dealerships and the richest man in the world, while refusing to condemn full and unconditional pardons for rioters who violently assaulted police officers on January 6th.
Murray’s speech came just after Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) attempted to pass, via unanimous consent, a resolution condemning attacks against Tesla. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) objected to Blackburn’s resolution and in response, attempted to pass via unanimous consent Murray’s resolution that condemns the full and unconditional pardons President Trump granted to individuals found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers.
Blackburn then blocked the January 6th resolution—marking the second time Republicans have blocked passage of the simple, one-line resolution expressing opposition to the pardons of violent rioters who attacked Capitol Police.
Murray also sharply criticized recent comments by Trump about providing financial compensation to January 6th criminals.
“I have no problem condemning violence, I will do that any day of the week,” Murray said. “I condemn attacks on car owners, and salespeople. I condemn destroying other people’s personal property. This is not a new position for me. But you will have to excuse me if I don’t take some Republicans seriously when they make this big show about law and order at the same time they are letting this President stab law enforcement in the back.”
Murray added, “I don’t know how my colleagues keep forgetting what happened on January 6th. I don’t know how on earth it is not burned into their memories. But President Trump is talking about people who attacked this building, our offices, our staffs, our democracy. He’s talking about people who smashed windows in we walk by every day. People who brought bats and other weapons to the halls where we meet our constituents. People who beat the Capitol Police who keep us safe every day, the Capitol Police who are standing guard even now, who sit right outside this chamber!”
Murray continued, “Over my dead body, Mr. President. And I will say it again, and again, and again.”
Murray’s full remarks as delivered are below and here.
