Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., appeared to brush off criticism by the judge in the Derek Chauvin trial that her remarks about the case could be grounds for appealing a verdict.
During the weekend, Waters had urged protesters to “get more confrontational” if Chauvin is not convicted for George Floyd’s death.
On Monday, Chauvin’s lawyer asked the judge, Peter Cahill, to declare a mistrial over Waters’ comments, arguing she had prejudiced the trial. Cahill denied the request.
“I’ll give you that Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned,” Cahill said as arguments in the case concluded and the jury began deliberations.
Waters had said protesters needed to “stay on the street” demanding justice until there is genuine police reform. She also said if Chauvin is not found guilty, “we’ve got to stay on the street, and we’ve got to get more active. We’ve got to get more confrontational. We’ve got to make sure that they know that we mean business.”
According to CNN, the judge also noted that “a congresswoman’s opinion really doesn’t matter a whole lot.”
The news network said Waters offered her response to the judge’s comments as she left the House floor on Monday. “The judge says my words don’t matter,” she said.
She was pressed on the judge’s remarks about her comments possibly being grounds for an appeal.
“Oh no, no they didn’t,” she said.
She told CNN that her reference to confrontation was meant in the context of the civil rights movement’s nonviolent history, saying that “the whole civil rights movement is confrontation.”
Republican lawmakers had blasted Waters for remarks about the trial. “Maxine Waters is inciting violence in Minneapolis — just as she has incited it in the past,” tweeted House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. “If Speaker Pelosi doesn’t act against this dangerous rhetoric, I will bring action this week.”
“Telling rioters who have burned buildings, looted stores, and assaulted journalists to get ‘more confrontational’ is incredibly irresponsible. Every House Democrat should condemn Maxine Waters’ call for violence,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Berg told Fox News.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., announced a resolution calling for Waters’ expulsion from Congress.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was asked if Waters should apologize for her remarks, Fox News noted.
“No, she doesn’t,” Pelosi said. “Maxine talked about confrontation in the manner of the civil rights movement.
“I, myself, think we should take our lead from the George Floyd family. They’ve handled this with great dignity, and no ambiguity or lack of — misinterpretation by the other side.”
Pelosi added: “No, I don’t think she should apologize.”
Story cited here.
