Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), and Paul Gosar (R-AZ) tried to hold a press conference this Tuesday in support of people they say are being persecuted for participating in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, but the event was cut short by protesters, including one who showed up with a whistle to drown out the GOP lawmakers' speeches.
In a tweet Wednesday, Gaetz posted video of the whistler, accusing him of "assaulting" a reporter who was on the scene, due to the fact that the protester was blowing his whistle in the direction of the reporter who was asking him to back away.
"Behold the tolerant, pro-speech Left," Gaetz wrote.
BREAKING: Masked whistle man assaults \u2066@RSBNetwork\u2069 reporter.\n\nBehold the tolerant, pro-speech Left pic.twitter.com/yAGZbuQL5q— Matt Gaetz (@Matt Gaetz) 1627483895
But in the comment thread beneath Gaetz's tweet, his critics pointed out that he was being a bit over dramatic.
Conservative values:pic.twitter.com/uSW60dzNLy— Fuck trump (not a fan of coups) (@Fuck trump (not a fan of coups)) 1627485373
GAETZ : Blowing a whistle?... assault.
Also Gaetz: insurrection?...tourism
violence on Jan 6?.....tourism.
People killed?... tourism
Capital cops bashed?... tourism
Attempt to overthrow democracy?.... tourism
— Cindy Shakeshaft ✊🍀 (@Brittox62) July 28, 2021
"Unmasked reporter assaulted masked protester"
Fixed it for you
— Tish Bryce (@tish_bryce) July 28, 2021
I did not see any assault as a matter fact she touched him if she doesn't want to have the whistle in her ear move away. Isn't blowing a whistle the same thing as freedom of speech?
— Ruffteacher36 (@ruffteacher36) July 28, 2021
Assault? Where? Are you serious? She came closer to touching him and you should know all about bad touching. You friggin snowflake this only enforces that you dear, are a big COWARD. You talk big but your yellow as they get. Enjoy your freedom wimp— \ud83d\udc99 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Robbi \ud83c\udf0a \ud83d\udc69\ud83c\udffc\u200d\u2695\ufe0f\u2693\ufe0f\ud83d\udc3e (@\ud83d\udc99 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Robbi \ud83c\udf0a \ud83d\udc69\ud83c\udffc\u200d\u2695\ufe0f\u2693\ufe0f\ud83d\udc3e) 1627486926
She should wear a mask.
— Jerry Mander (@realpublicius) July 28, 2021
watched this about 10 times still looking for any kind of assault except for the reporter laying her hands on the guy. I will say this Matt you ran out there yesterday like a guy who just got caught with an underage girl.
— Cold As Hell (@XColdasHellX) July 28, 2021
He doesn't understand what legal age means so he wouldn't understand what assault means pic.twitter.com/GAmvzsESwS
— The Meidas Jules ✨ (@TheMeidasJules) July 28, 2021
Poor snowflake Couldn\u2019t handle a whistle— krystyn (@krystyn) 1627492841
"Please point to where the evil person assaulted you."
— Chris Swartout (@chrisswartout) July 28, 2021
At what point did she feel threatened that she was going to be attacked? Where was the assault?
— ☕ Coffee ☕ (@CoffeeForever5) July 28, 2021
Cry some more— Graveyard Dog \ud83d\udc80\ud83d\udc80\ud83d\udc80 (@Graveyard Dog \ud83d\udc80\ud83d\udc80\ud83d\udc80) 1627487101
Assault? What? Where? Are you high on crack, again?
— Sgt Joker (@TheSGTJoker) July 28, 2021
