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 theinsurrection on January 6th, atthe Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville years ago," Jordan said. "Andjust a few days ago, you toldCNN that you were very proud ofyour past affiliation with the Oath Keepers. If you're soproud, why aren't you stillinvolved 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 sayingand the things that you laidout there, those aren't true," Bianco said. "Those are all propagandastatements that you'rereading off of ateleprompter or a piece ofpaper."
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 seditiousconspiracy for helping organize January 6th," Rampell said.
Bianco then tried to change the subject.
"My law enforcement deputiesand investigators have arrestednumerous, numerous mediapersonnel for child molestation.That doesn't mean any of youare 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 mediaexactly have you arrested for childmolestation? That's a prettyserious charge, right?... Lock them up. But how many?Give us a number, then. You'rebragging about one of yourachievements," Jordan said, pushing Bianco to another fact-check.
"It's exactly the point, because three peoplethat were arrested on January6th happened to be a member ofan organization. Doesn't makethe membership bad," Bianco said, defending the right-wing group.
"I asked you a very clear question that Ithink the voters of California,and I actually think Americansdeserve to know, you said on astage that you were very proudof your membership," Hylton said. "If you arevery proud, why are you notstill in the Oath Keepers?"