Several Republican lawmakers posted mocking criticism on social media in response to freshman Democratic Rep. Cori Bush’s claim she would spend as much as $200,000 on private security even as she continues to advocate for defunding police departments.
“I’m going to make sure I have security because, I know, I have had attempts on my life,” Bush, a Missouri Democrat, told CBS News during a Thursday interview outside the U.S. Capitol.
“And I have too much work to do, there are too many people that need help right now, for me to allow that,” she continued.
“So if I end up spending $200,000, if I spend $10 more on it – you know what, I get to be here to do the work. So suck it up,” Bush, 45, continued.
According to reports, Bush spent more than $69,000 on “security services” from April 15 to June 28, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
Those payments were made to New York-based RS&T Security Consulting LLC as well as Nathaniel Davis of St. Louis.
Despite her personal expenditures on security, however, Bush, one of Congress’ most left-wing members, is still pushing for defunding police agencies around the country.
“Defunding the police has to happen,” she told CBS News. “We need to defund police and put that money into social safety nets.”
Those conflicting statements drew a lot of negative responses and mocking from congressional Republicans.
“[Y]ou are a hypocrite and an elitist. You don’t care about the people, you only care about you,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia wrote on Twitter.
“You want to eradicate police from existence, take away guns to leave Americans defenseless, and create lawlessness all over our country,” she continued in a tweet that contained a video of Bush’s interview.
.@CoriBush you are a hypocrite and an elitist.
You don’t care about the people, you only care about you.
You want to eradicate police from existence, take away guns to leave Americans defenseless, and create lawlessness all over our country.
Cont’d.. pic.twitter.com/bxRyTgIM4Q
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) August 5, 2021
“You will pay endless amounts of money for private security for yourself because your security is clearly more important than the taxpayers who pay your salary and for your private security,” Greene continued.
“Look at what you did to the McCloskeys,” the Georgia Republican added, a reference to St. Louis couple Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who were forced to defend their gated community home with firearms last summer after a BLM mob broke down a locked gate and threatened them.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parsons pardoned the couple last month after they pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors.
“I see you Cori. Faith healer. I don’t think so, liar. I’ve seen you lie after you attacked me, then get a bigger office. Liar. You’re a manipulator,” Greene added.
Other Republicans responded as well.
“I actually thought this was a parody skit. No, it’s real,” freshman GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado wrote.
“[Cori Bush] says she’s important enough to have her own private security, but the police that protect the rest of America need to be defunded,” Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia noted.
“The arrogance is outmatched only by the insanity.”
Former Rep. Trey Gowdy also lashed out at Bush for her stance.
“Cori Bush tells us she is progressive, the better word might be hypocritical,” he said during his Fox News program on Sunday.
“Members of Congress are spending more money than ever on their personal security,” he added.
“It’s a tragic reflection of the times we live in … safety is priority number one for members of Congress, as it should be. But what about you?” he asked.
Syndicated from USA Features News.
