Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) invoked the shooting of former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.) on Thursday to explain why he doesn’t want to meet his constituents in a town hall meeting. “At this time, there are groups from the more violent strains of the leftist ideology, some even being paid, who are preying on public town halls to wreak havoc and threaten public safety,” Gohmert said in a statement, perpetuating GOP politicians’ unfounded claims that “paid protesters” are disrupting the meetings. Gohmert then mentioned Giffords, who was shot in the head in 2011 during a meeting with constituents. “Threats are nothing new to me, and I have gotten my share as a felony judge,” Gohmert said. Trump has called the angry town hall attendees “Sad!” and said their participation is “planned out by liberal activists,” as if that somehow reduces their legitimacy.

Source: Huffington Post February 23, 2017 20:48 UTC