House Republicans Rally Behind Rep. Paul Gosar After Censure For Violent Video

House Republicans are rallying behind Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Arizona) after he was censured for posting an edited anime clip of himself killing his colleague Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York).

Since the video was posted, former President Donald Trump has endorsed Gosar’s reelection. Trump praised Gosar, calling him “a loyal supporter of our America First agenda, and even more importantly, the USA.”

Trump released the following statement: “Paul is a Congressman who is highly respected in Arizona, strong on Crime, Borders, our Military, and our Veterans. He continually fights for Lower Taxes, Less Regulations, and our great, but under siege, Second Amendment. Paul Gosar has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) also weighed in on the matter, saying he is willing to give Gosar and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) better committee assignments should Republicans win the House in 2022.

Gosar has not apologized for posting the video, claiming he did not intend to promote violence. In the video, Gosar was depicted swinging swords at President Joe Biden.

Gosar deleted the video at McCarthy’s urging, but then re-posted it.

Ocasio-Cortez told reporters at the Capitol Thursday that if Republicans win back control of the House, “they will govern with a very authoritarian ideology [and] transform the House of Representatives into a nondemocratic institution.”

Article by Elizabeth Letsou