Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., reportedly requested a police escort before flying to Minnesota to urge protesters to "get more confrontational" if former cop Derek Chauvin isn't convicted in the trial of George Floyd's death.
Waters made the controversial remarks after flying from Dulles International Airport to Minnesota St. Paul International Airport on April 17, according to Townhall.
A document obtained by Townhall shows the formal request for protection from the Capitol Police. Waters’ name is listed under the heading for "Primary Protectee." The risk factor is listed as "moderate."
Townhall initially said Waters had requested an armed police escort to Minneapolis.
But a law enforcement source with the Capitol Police told the New York Post on Tuesday that the request posted by the outlet was for an escort to the gate at Dulles, not for protection in Minnesota.
The Post said efforts to contact Waters’ office for comment were not successful.
Over the weekend, Waters said protesters needed to "stay on the street" demanding justice until there is genuine police reform. She also said if Chauvin is found not guilty, "we've got to stay on the street, and we've got to get more active. We've got to get more confrontational. We've got to make sure that they know that we mean business."
The congresswoman also vowed to "fight with all of the people who stand for justice," adding, "We’ve got to get justice in this country, and we cannot allow these killings to continue."
Chauvin’s lawyer asked Judge Peter Cahill to declare a mistrial over Waters’ comments, arguing she had prejudiced the jury, but Cahill denied the request.
"I'll give you that Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned," Cahill said as arguments in the case concluded and the jury began deliberations.
According to CNN, the judge also noted that "a congresswoman's opinion really doesn't matter a whole lot."
The network said Waters offered her response to the judge's comments as she left the House floor on Monday: "The judge says my words don't matter."
Republican lawmakers have condemned Waters for remarks about the trial.
"Maxine Waters is inciting violence in Minneapolis — just as she has incited it in the past," tweeted House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. "If Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi doesn't act against this dangerous rhetoric, I will bring action this week."
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., announced a resolution calling for Waters' expulsion from Congress and National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Berg blasted Waters in comments to Fox News.
"Telling rioters who have burned buildings, looted stores, and assaulted journalists to get 'more confrontational' is incredibly irresponsible. Every House Democrat should condemn Maxine Waters' call for violence," Berg said.
Pelosi, however, said Waters doesn't need to apologize for her remarks, according to Fox News.
Said Pelosi: "Maxine talked about confrontation in the manner of the civil rights movement."
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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