House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was blasted with criticism after he offered thoughts and prayers to a Republican congressman-elect who died from COVID-19 just days before being sworn in.
Rep.-elect Luke Letlow (R-LA) died Tuesday of complications from a coronavirus infection at age 41, less than a week before he was set to join Congress, and the House minority leader offered his condolences on Twitter.
"Our hearts break tonight as we process the news of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow's passing," McCarthy tweeted. "I spoke with his wife, Julia. Judy and I are praying for her and their two young children during this terrible time."
Our hearts break tonight as we process the news of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow’s passing. I spoke with his wife,… https://t.co/YJSIEKEPmy— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1609298372.0
However, his statement angered many social media users who felt that McCarthy could have done more to promote public concern about the highly contagious virus and its spread, rather than pushing to reopen the economy and standing by while fellow Republicans politicized safety measures.
That sucks -- it sucks more that your party spent the good part of the year downplaying it and calling it a hoax.
— Johnny in SD (@Johnny_in_SD) December 30, 2020
And yet Republicans still think wearing a mask is tyranny.
bunch of fuckers.
— Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) December 30, 2020
You should at least acknowledge he died of COVID-19 and ask folks to take precautions. that would be leadership.
— Wonkster (@policywonk11) December 30, 2020
This is very sad.
Luke Letlow was one man.
He had a wife and small kids, family and friends.
Multiply that devastation by 337,000 Americans who have died from #COVID19
IT SHOULDN'T BE THIS BAD.
KEVIN, @GOPLeader THIS IS ON YOU, MITCH @senatemajldr AND @realDonaldTrump
— mollyswordmcdonough 🌊 (@mollysmcdonough) December 30, 2020
Our economy is vital to future of our state and our country.
"So while we've been cautious and I think both the state and federal level have taken numerous precautions for COVID-19. We're now at a place if we do not open our economy we're in real danger." pic.twitter.com/ntAOC2rU05
— Chase LeVangie 🌿 (@ChaseLevangie) December 30, 2020
Not such a joke anymore is it Kevin, the man died from Covid and he was in his prime.
— CC Cannon (@cccannon123) December 30, 2020
The Republicans applauded as Trump held superspreader event after superspreader event.
No President could have stopped all the death and sickness. But the way Trump and Republicans attacked doctors and rooted for ignorance absolutely led to the spread of this disease.
— Merlisa (@merlisa) December 30, 2020
This is very sad. People like Kevin McCarthy bear responsibility for his death and 330,000 others. You did this to him.https://t.co/vK9hIpCkvF
— Nathan Max (@natemax) December 30, 2020
It's sad, very sad, but I wish you felt the same about the more than 300,000 Americans who have had died from COVID 19. Maybe we wouldn't be in this position right now. This pandemic was worsened by Republican policies, shirking the guidelines and politicizing masks.
— Flip the Senate 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@independent_r21) December 30, 2020
EVERY DAY NOW more than three thousand Americans die from complications of the #coronavirus.
Today, three thousand five hundred more will die, just like #LukeLetlow. Then, tomorrow comes again. pic.twitter.com/3LX57w6cX4
— OnTheFritz (@fritzinmo) December 30, 2020
