Freshman Republican lawmaker Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) is on the receiving end of bipartisan condemnation after he allegedly launched a curse-filled rant at a group of high school-age Senate pages and ordered them to “get the f**k out” of the Capitol rotunda last week.
One source who witnessed the disturbing incident told NBC News that Van Orden was “physically aggressive” toward the 16- and 17-year-old pages, who, after a long work day, were lying on the floor of the rotunda, taking pictures of its magnificent 470-foot dome. Van Orden allegedly approached them and began “screaming inches from” their faces.
Fresh from a beer and cheese event he reportedly hosted for his constituents, Van Orden was leading a large tour group when he spotted the group of pages.
A former Navy Seal, the congressman allegedly shouted, “Wake the f**k up you little s**ts. What the f**k are you all doing? Get the f**k out of here. You are defiling the place,” The Hill first reported.
The NBC source stated that he went on to yell, “I don’t give a f**k who you are. I’m a congressman. My name is Derrick Van Orden, and I represent the 3rd District of Wisconsin.”
On multiple occasions, he referred to the “visibly shaken” pages as “pieces of s**t,” the source said.
It is unclear if Van Orden was inebriated at the time, but Congressional Punchbowl News reporter Max Cohen posted a photo to X of the lawmaker’s office, which appeared to be littered with empty alcohol bottles and trash.
Per a source, here’s a photo from last night of a bunch of alcohol in Van Orden’s office. Van Orden and staff were heard partying loudly before he cursed out a group of teenage Senate pages pic.twitter.com/W6KF35nfWt
— Max Cohen (@maxpcohen) July 27, 2023
As summer pages, the teenagers were a prestigious part of a Senate tradition dating back nearly 200 years to 1829. High school students from all 50 states are given the chance, through the U.S. Senate Page Program, to witness life on the Senate floor while they assist members of Congress and their staff with administrative tasks. The group Van Orden went off on was “enjoying their last week on the job,” NBC News reports.
Van Orden’s office provided NBC News with a statement it had previously given to some reporters and did not dispute the source’s account of the incident.
“The Capitol Rotunda served as a field hospital where countless Union soldiers died fighting to free men in the Civil War,” the statement read. “I have long said our nation’s Capitol is a symbol of the sacrifice our servicemen and women have made for this country and should never be treated like a frat house common room. Threatening a congressman with bad press to excuse poor behavior is a reminder of everything that’s wrong with Washington.”
Both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) praised the pages and condemned Van Orden’s behavior.
“They come here bright-eyed, ready to learn about America … and serve the Senate, which they do,” Schumer said. “They’re really invaluable to us.”
Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) called the outburst “inexcusable.”
“This is inexcusable and embarrassing behavior for a member of Congress or any adult for that matter,” he stated on X. “The Congressman should do the right thing and apologize.”
This is inexcusable and embarrassing behavior for a member of Congress or any adult for that matter. The Congressman should do the right thing and apologize. https://t.co/0bfhUBuXkT
— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) July 29, 2023
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) got down on the rotunda floor to show his support for the pages.
“TGIF after a rough week, Senate Pages?” he posted on X. “I got a great photo, how about you?”
TGIF after a rough week, Senate Pages? I got a great photo, how about you? @SenateCloakroom pic.twitter.com/xaPVVVrFDa
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) July 28, 2023
Meanwhile, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) appeared to defend Van Orden, saying on Friday, “That’s not the norm of Derrick Van Orden.”
McCarthy told reporters that he intends to talk to Van Orden and believes the alleged verbal assault on the pages could be a “misunderstanding.”
“I guess the interns have some ritual laying down, or something like that,” he said. “I think it’s a misunderstanding on all sides from what’s going on.”
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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.