Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-G.A., is part of a new breed of social media-savvy firebrands – and she made headlines when she confronted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., this week.
Greene, a controversial, unapologetic supporter of former President Donald Trump, has demanded Ocasio-Cortez debate her on the $9 trillion Green New Deal the progressive leftist has championed.
Ocasio-Cortez has avoided the challenge – so Greene tried to take the debate to her.
In what the media called a “hallway ambush” outside Congressional chambers, Greene asked Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday why she supported “radical socialism” and terror groups like ANTIFA.
Ocasio-Cortez fled the scene, and complained to the media that Greene had made her feel unsafe.
“Representative Greene tried to begin an argument with Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and when Rep. Ocasio-Cortez tried to walk away, Congresswoman Greene began screaming and called Rep. Ocasio-Cortez a terrorist sympathizer,” Lauren Hitt, spokeswoman for Ocasio-Cortez, told The Washington Post.
“We hope leadership and the Sergeant at Arms will take real steps to make Congress a safe, civil place for all Members and staff — especially as many offices are discussing reopening,” Hitt continued. “One Member has already been forced to relocate her office due to Congresswoman Greene’s attacks.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has threatened to intervene on Ocasio-Cortez’ behalf.
But Greene wasn’t ready to back down after Ocasio-Cortez fled the confrontation.
She told reporters afterward that lawmakers must be held accountable and be willing to defend their positions.
“She’s a chicken, she doesn’t want to debate the Green New Deal,” Greene said after. “These members are cowards.”
“They need to defend their legislation to the people. That’s pathetic.”
And any US Member of Congress supporting terrorists Hamas should be expelled.
Any member supporting and fundraising for criminals in Antifa/BLM riots in American cities should be expelled.
That’s the #JihadSquad and the VP.
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) May 13, 2021
Pelosi quickly came to AOC’s rescue.
Pelosi denounced Greene’s actions as “abuse” and “verbal assault.” Pelosi said “it was so beyond the pale of anything” and called for an investigation into Greene as retaliation.
“It probably is a matter for the Ethics Committee,” Pelosi told reporters at a press conference on Thursday. “This is beneath the dignity of a person serving in the Congress of the United States and is a cause for trauma and fear among members, especially on the heels of an insurrection in which the minority in the committee yesterday denied ever happened.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Ethics Committee should “probably” look into Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA) “verbal assault” and “abuse” of Rep. @AOC (D-NY) yesterday at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/hV3HX3EYoM
— The Recount (@therecount) May 13, 2021