House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy blasted presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for not speaking out about mobs that are tearing down historic American symbols and demanded that laws on the books be enforced against the protesters' actions.
"What happened in San Francisco? St. Serra was taken down," the California Republican said on Fox News' "America's Newsroom." "[Did] you know in 2015, I prayed with Pope Francis, Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden in front of St. Serra? But, you know whose district that's in? Nancy Pelosi’s. And, she has not said a word. Joe Biden has not said a word."
McCarthy said he wants to see people who are pulling down statues and defacing monuments be held accountable and prosecuted.
"There [are] consequences for the actions they take," said McCarthy. "There are already laws on the books, but we need people to enforce them: the mayors across this country. If they don't, I've introduced legislation that would withhold federal money to those cities who do not."
While protests started nationwide after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the issue of destroying statues is a different matter.
"This isn't about George Floyd when you look at these statues and what they're doing," McCarthy said, noting that in Madison, Wisconsin, Democrat state Sen. Tim Carpenter was attacked and statues connected with the abolitionist movement were taken down.
"That’s lawlessness," said McCarthy. "We believe in the rule of law and America has to stop this. You have a right to protest. Floyd has a right for justice. That’s appalling what has happened to him. But, those who loot, those who tear down statues — they should have consequences for their actions."
Further, protesters pulling down statues "don't believe in a mission except for destruction," said McCarthy. He said he thinks Americans should "strive to become that more perfect union and work to make sure that America is stronger. I am looking for individuals who want to rebuild, renew, and restore America."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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