Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) was ripped apart for gently condemning his fellow lawmakers who helped provoke a violent takeover of the U.S. Capitol by lying about overturning President Donald Trump's election loss.
The Florida Republican declined to identify Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) or Ted Cruz (R-TX) for announcing they would object to Joe Biden's electors in some states Trump contested, although he blames the violence on those who promulgated the myth that Vice President Mike Pence could undo the election results.
"Some misled you," Rubio tweeted. "That the VP could reject ballots. That objections could pass or used as leverage to force an audit. They knew the truth but thought it was a great way to get attention & raise money."
Some misled you
That the VP could reject ballots
That objections could pass or used as leverage to force an audit
They knew the truth but thought it was a great way to get attention & raise money
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 7, 2021
Rubio limited replies to those he follows or mentioned, but that wasn't enough to withstand a blast of criticism.
i think it would be worthwhile to identify who the “some" and “they" are here. lies and deceit travel so quickly online but are given credibility when repeated by members of congress. it has to stop and a good first step would be holding your colleagues accountable
— Connor Cape (@MileHighCape) January 7, 2021
wow thanks for coming out so strong and so early in favor of truth marco
— Joel Luther (@joel_luther) January 7, 2021
Wow, “some" is really feeling the heat right now whoever that is https://t.co/bVp6KHUBxf
— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) January 7, 2021
You have enabled this by spreading rumors, fake news, and innuendo to your supporters. Take a look in the mirror and recommit yourself by speaking *known* truth to your countrymen, not conspiracy theories.
— Joseph Gruber (@JosephGruber) January 7, 2021
One of the primary drivers of people believing the nonsense was that people who knew better didn't say anything until it was too late. https://t.co/Lnt0oTPNmY
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) January 7, 2021
Every network carried Mitt Romney's speech live last night. Every network cut away from yours. Why? Because the time for straddling the line and accommodating evil is over, and that's all you have to offer.
— Flavius Ricimer (@FlaviusRicimer) January 7, 2021
Cynical politicians chiding other cynical politicians for raising money off of cynical positions is a real look. pic.twitter.com/bQm4wOjxLK
— Jackie Kucinich (@JFKucinich) January 7, 2021
