During a House committee hearing on a hate crimes bill on Tuesday, a shouting match happened between Reps. Val Demings and Jim Jordan. The representatives argued over using law enforcement for political gain.
Tensions started over the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act, which would address the surge of hate crimes against Asian Americans. Republicans had introduced an amendment that would prevent the defunding of police departments even though the legislation does not seek to strip law enforcement funding.
“I want to make it quite clear that this amendment is completely irrelevant,” Demings, who served as chief of the Orlando Police Department for three years, said.
“I served as a law enforcement officer for 27 years. It is a tough job. And good police officers deserve your support. You know, it’s interesting to see my colleagues on the other side of the aisle support the police when it is politically convenient to do so. Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day. They deserve better,” the Florida Democrat said.
At that point, Jordan sought to interject, earning a fierce rebuttal from Demings who struck her hand against the desk in front of her as she exclaimed: “I have the floor Mr. Jordan.”
“Did I strike a nerve?” Demings continued as she looked in the Ohio Republican’s direction. “Law enforcement officers deserve better that to be utilized as pawns. And you and your colleagues should be ashamed of yourselves.”
House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler attempted to stop the two representatives from arguing to restore order to the hearing, but when Jordan said he agreed with Nadler that members shouldn’t shout out of turn, Demings shot back: “Mr. Jordan you don’t know what the heck you’re talking about.”
On Wednesday, Demings accused Jordan and other Republicans of creating distractions because they don’t have a plan to address pertinent issues affecting Americans.
“Now, if you’re so concerned about protecting law enforcement, how do you not stand with let’s address the crimes that law enforcement has to deal with? Mr. Jordan yesterday seized that opportunity to try to use law enforcement as a political pawn. We’ve seen it so many other times,” she told CNN’s John Berman on “New Day.” “What I was talking about on yesterday was we need to stop playing these political games, and you know, we’re dealing with a lot of issues right now.”
The hate crimes bill, which calls for an expedited review of pandemic-era hate crimes against Asian Americans by the Justice Department, the establishment of an online reporting mechanism for state and local law enforcement agencies, and data collection and public reporting on hate crimes, does not propose defunding or eliminating police departments.
Jim Jordan also listed off these numbers that never made any mainstream media headlines.
Democrat-run Cities cut off:
** New York – Democrats cut $1 billion from its police — Saw 97% increase in shootings
** Los Angeles cut $170 million from its police budge — Saw 11.6% increase in homicides
** Austin, Texas saw $150 million cut — Saw 50% spike in homicides
** Portland, Oregon saw a $12 million cut, eliminated 3 police units — Shootings went up 173%, murders up 25%
Just last week an argument between the nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci and Jordan happened during a House Coronavirus Crisis Subcommittee hearing. The Ohio Republican was admonished by committee Chairman Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C. and was told to “shut your mouth” by Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif. after going over his allotted speaking time.
Watch it here: Dinesh D’Souza/Youtube
Sources: CNN POLITICS, THE GATEWAY PUNDIT, USA TODAY
