2 days ago
Rep. Mannion defends house floor outburst as act of patriotism: ‘I have to stop the rise of authoritarian government'
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSYR-TV) — Congressman John Mannion is defending his vulgar outburst towards a fellow congressman on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives as an act of patriotism.
Over a televised feed of the House vote, shouting can be heard in a distant part of the room. It's Representative Mannion saying, in part: 'get over there and get some f**king balls. Tell them. Tell them. You know who I am.'
The comments were directed at Republican Congressman Mike Lawler, also of New York.
Mannion's office said the congressman was already fired up about Senator Alex Padilla being removed from a press briefing hosted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The tension continued into a Democrat-hosted press conference outside the house floor, which then spilled onto the house floor when the argument began the congressman began.
Lawler posted a response, also profane, to his campaign's social media: 'John Mannion was entirely unhinged and unprofessional. That was a shameful display that exposed his complete lack of temperament. No wonder numerous staffers have previously alleged a toxic work environment. He should go seek help for anger management — and f**k off.'
Mannion's office responded to NewsChannel 9's request for comment.
Statement from Representative John Mannion:
I'm a kid from Tipp Hill that's fighting for my hometown and my country. I'm giving everything I have to stop the rise of authoritarian government and the destruction of American democracy.
If making some noise on the house floor and calling out Trump enablers draws attention to what's happening to our country right before our eyes – good.
Today it's roughing up and handcuffing a United States Senator and a politicized military patrolling the streets of American cities.
It's the willing abandonment of the rule of law and a gross fealty to a want-to-be dictator who is tearing the country apart.
None of this is normal or okay.
I'm always going to stand up and speak out and fight for the people of this country.
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