If there is a list of things you should NEVER say as a politician on a public social media site, Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.) may have hit them all in a single, shocking, now-deleted tweet about gun control that left even the most hardened of Twitter users shaking their heads in disbelief.
As American Wire has reported, the House voted 217 – 213 on Friday to stomp on the Constitution and reinstate a so-called “assault weapons” ban on semiautomatic weapons.
House passes bill to strip your 2nd Amend rights. You can thank two Republicans who voted with Dems. https://t.co/2oQBARiV9B
— American Wire News (@americanwire_) July 30, 2022
While the two Republican Representatives who allowed the egregious bill to pass — Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (Penn.) and Chris Jacobs (N.Y.) — were fending off the fury of conservatives, Garcia took to Twitter to pat himself on the back.
“I just voted to reinstate the assault weapons ban,” Garcia proudly tweeted. “Now it’s the Senate’s turn to pass it and send it to President Biden’s desk. Weapons of war have no place in our communities or on our streets…”
In response, a random Twitter user with just 531 followers stated, “Never even heard of this guy and I won’t comply even if his silly law passes.”
And that is when Representative Chuy Garcia appeared to willingly and without ceremony hurl himself off the political deep end:Â (** Offensive language warning)
For one brief moment, Twitter got to see what a Democrat truly thinks, and to some, it was an oddly refreshing experience.
“I disagree with the assault weapons ban,” wrote one user, “but this makes me want to vote for Chuy Garcia.”
I disagree with the assault weapons ban but this makes me want to vote for Chuy Garcia https://t.co/LhMv92AI7I
— Harry (@kaapotraphouse) July 30, 2022
Any respect Garcia may have garnered for actually speaking his mind quickly dissipated when the lawmaker deleted the tweet and had his spokesperson, Fabiola Rodriguez-Ciampoli, issue a non-apology that threw his staff under the proverbial bus.
“Last night a member of Congressman Garcia’s staff posted an unauthorized tweet from the Congressman’s account using profanities and offensive language to individuals living with disabilities,” the statement read. “The language used was absolutely inappropriate and inconsistent with Congressman Garcia’s history, values, and character. The individual responsible will be held accountable and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.”
Statement from Congressman GarcÃa’s Spokesperson, Fabiola RodrÃguez-Ciampoli: pic.twitter.com/SyagCscHA0
— Congressman Chuy GarcÃa (@RepChuyGarcia) July 30, 2022
The wave of condemnation for Garcia’s less-than-convincing response hit hard.
“I immediately take back the nice things I said about him,” said one user. “I’d respect him more if it was actually him and if he owned it.”
“How I hate these ppl,” stated another. “You gave someone access and authority to tweet from your account. It is your tweet. Own it.”
“You can apologize and disavow it,” the user continued, “But it is your tweet.”
“This is why the dems will lose the midterm,” predicted a third, “not because of the tweet but because of the walkback.”
https://twitter.com/PPPgrifter/status/1553413710718201856?s=20&t=r7jgydglBFoJeqn-Ae7zLw
How I hate these ppl. You gave someone access and authority to tweet from your account. It is your tweet. Own it.
You can apologize and disavow it, but it is your tweet. https://t.co/hcrbfJpEp9
— Dog guy (@Catsorange1) July 30, 2022
Others remain convinced that Garcia was, in fact, behind the tweet.
“Has anyone ever believed this excuse?” asked a skeptical user. “No? Didn’t think so.”
https://twitter.com/capeandcowell/status/1553419461180391424?s=20&t=6lS8QlVZZcySJSqYWgH4ng
But it was another user who offered what many consider to be a more plausible explanation for the wildly inappropriate tweet:
“Translation–” the user suggested. “Chuy was drunk and really regrets alienating 80% of the country.”
“Too late bro,” the user stated.
Translation- Chuy was drunk and really regrets alienating 80% of the country. Too late bro. #RedWave https://t.co/xrDfO1PNIw
— BTG (@WeeTuLo) July 30, 2022
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.