'New ways to be deplorable': James Comer slammed for Walz family 'indoctrination' claim

A Republican lawmaker mocked Gov. Tim Walz' family on national television less than a month after the right faced severeandwidespreadbacklash for hurling insults at his neurodivergent son.

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) targeted the family of Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate on Fox Business Friday morning as he discussed with host Maria Bartiromo his ongoing probe into Walz' China ties.

"That's a scary family, there," Comer said. "It looks like the type of family that's been indoctrinated."

Bartiromo did a visible double take — and viewers such as Mother Jones Washington D.C. bureau chief David Corn were outraged.

"The [Republicans] keep finding new ways to be deplorable," Corn replied.

This comment comes weeks after Gus Walz, 17, diagnosed with a nonverbal learning disability, captured the nation's attention with his emotional response to his father's nomination at the Democratic National Convention.

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Conservative commentators such as Ann Coulter, Laura Loomer and Jay Weber mocked the teen — only to be told by fellow Republicans they'd gone too far.

"I've always believed in shielding our children from attack," Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) wrote on X. "#ThinkDIFFERENTLY."

Comer's attacks also come as he probes Walz' 30+ trips to China, where the former teacher began his career in education, and suggests ties to the Chinese Communist Party — an accusation the Harris-Walz campaign denies.

"Some of the things the Walzs have said about China, their affection for China, that's very concerning to me," Comer told Bartiromo. "We don't want to set our business models like China's."

These comments did not impress viewers such as ESPN-affiliated Louisville radio host Mark Ennis, who took to X to share a request with the lawmaker.

"JamesComer," requested ESPN-affiliated Louisville radio host Mark Ennis, "go one day without embarrassing Kentucky."

Sanho Tree, a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, argued Comer did not believe what he told Bartiromo.

"Comer wants to justify holding urgent hearings about Tim Walz," Tree wrote, "for no other reason other than helping Trump."

Watch the segment below or click here.