'Asked you a very clear question!' Clash erupts with MAGA candidate over oath keepers past
MAGA California Governor candidate and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco got into a clash on Saturday night when he was asked about his ties to the far-right Oath Keepers militia, with the GOP gubernatorial hopeful appearing visibly angry over the line of questioning.
Bianco joined The Weekend: Primetime to discuss his past and current run for office when the back-and-forth heated up. Bianco's campaign has focused on law and order, and co-host Elise Jordan pressed him to discuss the Oath Keepers, which have been described by experts and watchdog organizations as extremists and an anti-government group with people who often believe in conspiracy theories.
"There were Oath Keepers present at the insurrection on January 6th, at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville years ago," Jordan said. "And just a few days ago, you told CNN that you were very proud of your past affiliation with the Oath Keepers. If you're so proud, why aren't you still involved with them?"
Bianco was frustrated and pushed back on Jordan, attempting to say she had made false claims despite the reality.
"Even in the question? I mean, the things that you're saying and the things that you laid out there, those aren't true," Bianco said. "Those are all propaganda statements that you're reading off of a teleprompter or a piece of paper."
Co-host Antonia Hylton interjected, asking Bianco a specific question.
"Were Oath Keepers not present on January 6th?" Hylton asked.
Catherine Rampell, fellow co-host, also stepped in to fact-check.
"Stewart Rhodes, Who founded the Oath Keepers, was convicted of seditious conspiracy for helping organize January 6th," Rampell said.
Bianco then tried to change the subject.
"My law enforcement deputies and investigators have arrested numerous, numerous media personnel for child molestation. That doesn't mean any of you are child molesters, does it?"
Hylton kept asking Bianco her question again.
"I don't see what that has to do with my question. I asked you a very clear question, sheriff," Hylton fired back.
"How many media exactly have you arrested for child molestation? That's a pretty serious charge, right?... Lock them up. But how many? Give us a number, then. You're bragging about one of your achievements," Jordan said, pushing Bianco to another fact-check.
"It's exactly the point, because three people that were arrested on January 6th happened to be a member of an organization. Doesn't make the membership bad," Bianco said, defending the right-wing group.
"I asked you a very clear question that I think the voters of California, and I actually think Americans deserve to know, you said on a stage that you were very proud of your membership," Hylton said. "If you are very proud, why are you not still in the Oath Keepers?"