'Back the blue not the coup': MAGA called out for anti-law enforcement rhetoric

An outspoken Democratic lawmaker Wednesday publicly shamed MAGA Republicans for declaring unequivocal support for law enforcement while decrying those who brought former President Donald Trump and Jan. 6 rioters to justice.

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) spoke out during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on challenges faced by law enforcement officials. Behind him stood a poster with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's photograph and her slogan "Defund the FBI."

"Some of my colleagues...thump their chests and say they back the blue, but then they're going to call a Jan. 6 convict a hostage," Swalwell said. "That's not backing the blue, that's backing the coup."

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"Hostages" was the term Trump used in March to describe those convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol in 2021 in a failed attempt to prevent the transfer of power from himself to President Joe Biden.

Powerful supporters such as Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Greene have since echoed his rhetoric.

Swalwell echoed his own comment when he then condemned Republicans who have criticized law enforcement officials linked to Trump's two federal court cases in Washington D.C., where he faces election interference charges, and in Florida, where he stands accused of illegally hoarding classified documents in his social club Mar-a-Lago.

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Swalwell argued their support falters "the second the blue raids the house of their preferred candidate for president."

"That's not backing the blue," he said, "that's backing a fool."

The California Democrat said that he supported law enforcement officials as the son and brother of police officers, and called on his colleagues to join him in support tempered only within the confines of accountability.

"We gotta be consistent," Swalwell said. "We should back them every time they do their job."

His comments garnered praise on social media from fellow Democrats who expressed frustration over Republican views on the Capitol riots and Trump's journey through the justice system.

"Swalwell slams the hypocrisy," replied X user Station 24. "'Backing the blue' can't pick and choose - it means standing with law enforcement against all threats, including January 6th extremists."

"MAGAts do not back the blue whatsoever," added @FourYearsBetter. "They hide behind the blue and use them as cover."

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that Rep. Eric Swalwell represents a district in California, not Florida.