Democrats move to censure Arizona congressman over violent social media video

WASHINGTON (CN) — House Democrats introduced a resolution Friday to censure Congressman Paul Gosar after the Arizona Republican posted a photoshopped video depicting him killing Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joe Biden to his social media earlier this week.

Gosar later took down the anime-style video which showed Gosar as a cartoon character slashing Ocasio-Cortez's face with a sword and fighting Biden with two swords.

House Democrats slammed Gosar, referring to the video as "a clear cut case for censure."

"Violence against women in politics is a global phenomenon meant to silence women and discourage them from seeking positions of authority and participating in public life, with women of color disproportionately impacted. Minority Leader [Kevin] McCarthy’s silence is tacit approval and just as dangerous," the Democrats calling for his censure said in a statement.

The resolution was introduced by Representatives Jackie Speier and Eric Swalwell of California; Jim Cooper of Tennessee; Brenda Lawrence and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan; Sylvia Garcia and Veronica Escobar of Texas; Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida; Nikema Williams of Georgia; Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and more than 50 other members of the House.

Gosar said the video was a metaphor, "symbolic" of the political fight taking place in Congress.

“I do not espouse violence or harm towards any member of Congress or Mr. Biden.  The video depicts the fight taking place next week on the House floor and symbolizes the battle for the soul of America when Congress takes up Mr. Biden’s massive $4 trillion spending bill," Gosar said in a statement.

Announcing the censure resolution, Speier tweeted that a vote to rebuke Gosar's action is necessary.

"We cannot continue to normalize violence against POTUS and members of the House. We must defend the integrity of the institution," she wrote.

When the House may vote to symbolically rebuke Gosar is not yet known, with Congress in recess until next week.

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