Democrats kill resolution to censure Maxine Waters over her comments encouraging protesters to 'get more confrontational'



Democrats successfully killed a resolution Tuesday to censure Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) over comments she made calling on protesters to "get more confrontational" if the Derek Chauvin trial didn't go their way.

The motion was tabled by a partisan vote of 216 to 210 on Tuesday just ahead of the verdict in the case being announced.

Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) called for the censure resolution after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) refused to condemn the comments and defended Waters instead.

"Chairwoman Waters' actions are beneath the dignity of this institution," tweeted McCarthy on Tuesday.

"They raised the potential for violence, directed lawlessness, and may have interfered with a co-equal branch of government. I just introduced this censure resolution to hold her accountable," he wrote, with the text of the resolution added.

Waters made the comments while joining protesters on Sunday at Brooklyn Center.

"Well, we got to stay on the street," Waters said to protesters. "And we've got to get more active. You've got to get more confrontational. You got to make sure that they know we mean business."

She also said she disagreed with authorities setting city curfews in order to curtail rioting.

"I don't know what curfew means," Waters continued. "Curfew means that I want you all to stop talking. I want you to stop meeting. I want you stop gathering. I don't agree with that."

Many saw the comments as inciting violence among protesters, while others said that the comments were in line with the peaceful but confrontational protests of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.

When Pelosi was confronted about the comments, she said that Waters should not apologize for what she said.

Earlier on Monday a Fox News report said that some Democrat lawmakers were so angered by Waters' comments that they were willing to support a censure resolution. No Democrat voted for the motion.

Chauvin was found guilty of all charges in the death of George Floyd. He could face as many as 40 years in prison for the charges.

Here's more about the verdict in the Chauvin case:

Watch: Chauvin Declared Guilty On All Counts In Death Of George Floyd | NBC Newswww.youtube.com

Maxine Waters claims judge in Chauvin trial said her 'words don't matter' just minutes after the judge specifically said her comments could cause the trial to be overturned



California left-wing Rep. Maxine Waters (D) cannot get out of her own way — or the way of the judicial system and peaceful society.

Over the weekend, Waters hurled incendiary language during a rant during a protest in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, about the case of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin for his role in the death of George Floyd during an arrest.

But despite a statement from the judge in the case responding directly to the congresswoman's remarks and his admission that those words could be used to get the Chauvin trial tossed on appeal, Waters remained defiant and claimed that the judge had said her "words don't matter."

What happened?

Water demanded Saturday during a rally that the Chauvin jury return a guilty verdict for murder, and told the crowd that if that didn't happen, then "we got to stay on the street, and we've got to get more active. You've got to get more confrontational. You got to make sure that they know we mean business."

Chauvin's lawyer, Eric Nelson, used Waters' remarks to ask for a mistrial: "It is so pervasive. I just don't know how this jury can really be said to be that they are free from the taint of this. Now that we have U.S. representatives threatening acts of violence in relation to this specific case, it's mind-boggling to me, judge!"

Judge Peter Cahill denied Nelson's request, but he did say that Waters' rhetoric could come back to bite the prosecution on appeal.

"I will give you that Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned," Cahill said.

The judge continued to blast Waters' and her ilk's "abhorrent" and "disrespectful" manner of discussing the case.

"I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law, and to the judicial branch and our function," Cahill said. "I think if they want to give their opinions they should do so in a respectful and in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution to respect a coequal branch of government."

"Their failure to do so is abhorrent!" he continued.

CNN's Manu Raju caught up with Waters shortly after Cahill made his remarks and asked her about the judge's direct rebuke of her language.

Raju reported that Waters said, "The judge says my words don't matter."

He pressed the lawmaker about Cahill saying that her rant could be grounds for appeal. She replied, "Oh no, no they didn't."

Just asked Maxine Waters about the judge’s rebuke of her words, and she said repeatedly: “The judge says my words d… https://t.co/EsRRuFEFsL
— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju)1618875725.0

Cahill did say, following his ripping of Waters' remarks, that, because he trusted the jury to not watch television, "a congresswoman's opinion really doesn't matter a whole lot anyway."

But he in no way let the radical left-wing congresswoman off the hook as she claimed to Raju.

Nancy Pelosi defends Maxine Waters' comments calling on protesters to 'get more confrontational'



House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) refused calls to censure Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) after she called on protesters to be more "confrontational" if former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin is not found guilty of murdering George Floyd.

Pelosi was asked by reporters Monday if Waters should apologize for her comments, and she defended her Democratic colleague.

"Maxine talked about confrontation in the manner of the Civil Rights movement. I myself think we should take our lead from the George Floyd family. They've handled this with great dignity and no ambiguity or lack of misinterpretation by the other side," Pelosi replied.

When pressed about whether Waters should apologize, she added, "No, I don't think she should apologize."

Waters ignited a firestorm with her comments at a protest Sunday in Brooklyn Center.

"Well, we got to stay on the street," Waters said to the protesters. "And we've got to get more active. You've got to get more confrontational. You got to make sure that they know we mean business."

She went on to say that she didn't agree with curfews imposed by officials trying to quell any possible rioting.

"I don't know what curfew means," Waters explained. "Curfew means that I want you all to stop talking. I want you to stop meeting. I want you stop gathering. I don't agree with that."

Many saw her comments as encouraging street violence.

On Monday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) promised to take action against Waters if Pelosi refused to do so herself.

"Maxine Waters is inciting violence in Minneapolis — just as she has incited it in the past," McCarthy tweeted. "If Speaker Pelosi doesn't act against this dangerous rhetoric, I will bring action this week."

Maxine Waters is inciting violence in Minneapolis — just as she has incited it in the past. If Speaker Pelosi doesn… https://t.co/iUicQJYq3f
— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy)1618793152.0

Also on Monday, the judge in the Chauvin trial excoriated Waters and other public officials for speaking about the trial in a disrespectful way that did not honor their pledge to defend the Constitution.

"I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law, and to the judicial branch and our function," said Judge Peter Cahill, who called the comments "abhorrent."

Here are the comments from Waters:

Waters to demonstrators: 'Get more confrontational'www.youtube.com

Judge blasts Maxine Waters' 'abhorrent' comments and says they could lead to overturn of Derek Chauvin trial on appeal



The judge in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin blasted the incendiary comments from Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and said that they could lead to the overturn of the trial if the defense chose to appeal the ruling.

Chauvin is on trial for the death of George Floyd during an arrest on May 25 in Minneapolis. His attorney Eric Nelson argued Monday for a mistrial based on the fact that jurors were exposed to public comments because they had not been sequestered during the trial.

"It is so pervasive. I just don't know how this jury can really be said to be that they are free from the taint of this," Nelson said. "Now that we have U.S. representatives threatening acts of violence in relation to this specific case, it's mind-boggling to me, judge!"

"I will give you that Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned," responded Judge Peter Cahill.

"I will give you that Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole tri… https://t.co/6Oy4whNiTh
— Daily Caller (@Daily Caller)1618866809.0

Cahill did not grant the defense's request for a mistrial, but he went on to excoriate Waters for her comments.

"This goes back to what I've been saying from the beginning. I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law, and to the judicial branch and our function," the judge said.

"I think if they want to give their opinions they should do so in a respectful and in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution to respect a coequal branch of government," he added.

"Their failure to do so is abhorrent!" he added.

Cahill went on to say that he did not believe the jury would be prejudiced by Waters' comments because they had been instructed to not watch television.

"A congresswoman's opinion really doesn't matter a whole lot. Anyway," Cahill said.

Waters has been castigated by many for the comments she made on Sunday in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, calling for more protests and telling protesters to "get more confrontational" over the trial of Chauvin.

Here are the judge's comments against Waters:

Judge Peter Cahill rips Rep. Maxine Waters for "abhorrent" comments over the weekend on the trial:

"I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law." pic.twitter.com/8QHDXcmaTI
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) April 19, 2021

Maxine Waters tells protesters to 'get more confrontational' and she is 'hopeful protests continue'



While speaking to protesters in Minnesota on Saturday night, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) hurled language that could be perceived as incendiary. Waters launched into a fiery rant during an appearance in Brooklyn Center, where she commanded protesters to "get more confrontational" if former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is not found guilty of murdering George Floyd.

"We're looking for a guilty verdict," Waters said of the Chauvin trial. "And we're looking to see if all of the talk that took place and has been taking place after they saw what happened to George Floyd."

"If nothing does not happen, then we know, that we've got to not only stay in the street, but we've got to fight for justice," Waters continued. "But I am very hopeful, that I hope that we're going to get a verdict that will say, 'Guilty, guilty, guilty!' And if we don't, we cannot go away."

Waters ranted to angry demonstrators who had gathered to call for justice in the police shooting of 20-year-old Daunte Wright. The Democratic representative from California told the Minnesota crowd that "we are looking for a guilty verdict" in the trial of Derek Chauvin, who is charged with second and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Floyd.

A reporter asked if Chauvin was guilty of manslaughter, Waters reacted by saying, "Oh no, not manslaughter, this is guilty for murder. I don't know whether it's in the first degree, but as far as I'm concerned it's first-degree murder."

Waters was also asked what protesters should do if Chauvin is not found guilty of murder.

"Well, we got to stay on the street," Waters told protesters. "And we've got to get more active. You've got to get more confrontational. You got to make sure that they know we mean business."

Maxine Waters is marching in Brooklyn Center tonight and told people to take to the streets if Chauvin is acquitted https://t.co/RemfvCCLAn
— Jack Posobiec (@Jack Posobiec)1618719293.0

Waters also said that she didn't comply with curfews implemented by law enforcement.

"I don't think anything about curfew. I don't know what curfew means," Waters stated. "Curfew means that I want you all to stop talking. I want you to stop meeting. I want you stop gathering. I don't agree with that."

When Waters was asked if she was going to stay out past curfew to demonstrate with protesters, she responded, "I'm not gonna stay out here. I came here from Washington just to be here to make sure that I let my voice be heard among all of those who have been putting so much time on the street. And so I am hopeful that the protests continue."

There was an 11 p.m. curfew in Brooklyn Center on Saturday night, which was the seventh night of protests against the police killing of Wright. There were 136 arrests made Friday night in connection with protests outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department, according to law enforcement.

Maxine Waters comes to the Brooklyn Center protests and makes bold to proclaim she's not afraid of the curfew. She… https://t.co/t41LJj7i5H
— Alan Bings (@Alan Bings)1618718934.0

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) slammed Waters for her dangerous rhetoric.

"Democrats actively encouraging riots & violence," Cruz wrote on Twitter. "They want to tear us apart."

Democrats actively encouraging riots & violence. They want to tear us apart.“'We gotta stay on the street,' Wat… https://t.co/SdJslGdKea
— Ted Cruz (@Ted Cruz)1618751756.0

Rep Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) asked, "Why is Maxine Waters traveling to a different state trying to incite a riot? What good can come from this?"

This isn't the first time that Waters has been accused of spewing rhetoric that could incite violence.

In June 2018, Waters delivered a fiery speech where she instructed members of the "Resistance" to harass staffers of the Trump administration.

"Let's make sure we show up wherever we have to show up and if you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd and you push back on them, and you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere," Waters commaned.

Maxine Waters calls for attacks on Trump administration: "If you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in… https://t.co/z7vSo7lkcp
— Ryan Saavedra (@Ryan Saavedra)1529871853.0

RELATED: Twitter troll tricks Democrats into being outraged over Maxine Waters' 'dangerous' quote against Trump administration

Twitter troll tricks Democrats into being outraged over Maxine Waters' 'dangerous' quote against Trump administration



Democrats are completely outraged over a fake quote from Democratic California Rep. Maxine Waters. A Twitter troll replaced Waters' original tweet that targeted Trump administration staffers with Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Democrats took the bait and called Waters' words "dangerous" and many said it was "inciting violence."

In June 2018, Waters delivered a fiery speech where she called for members of the "Resistance" to harass staffers of the Trump administration.

"History will record while he tried to step on all of us, we kicked him in his rear and step on him," Waters bellowed. "If you think we're rallying now, you ain't seen nothin' yet!"

"Already, you have members of your Cabinet that are being booed out of restaurants...who have protesters taking up at their house, who say, 'No peace, no sleep! No peace, no sleep!" Waters said, referencing Trump's former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen being intimidated by socialists at a Mexican restaurant.

"God is on our side," Waters proclaimed. "Let's stay the course!"

"Let's make sure we show up wherever we have to show up and if you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd and you push back on them, and you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere," she yelled to rile the crowd into a frenzy.

Waters then zeroed in on then-President Donald Trump, "Mr. President, we will see you every day, every hour of the day, everywhere that we are to let you know you cannot get away with this!"

Maxine Waters @ Keep Families Together: Protest Rally and Toy Drive www.youtube.com

Twitter user @CuomoWatch took a portion of the congresswoman's speech, but altered it slightly to target the Cuomo administration instead of Trump's Cabinet.

"If you see anybody from the Cuomo Administration in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd. And you push back on them. And you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere," the now-viral tweet said.

“If you see anybody from the Cuomo Administration in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, yo… https://t.co/j1l0o9gzKX
— Cuomo Watch (@Cuomo Watch)1611875347.0

Democrats, who are obviously not familiar with Waters' tempestuous tirade, immediately condemned the threatening words, likely assuming the menacing comments were made by Republicans or Trump supporters.

New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) fell for the fake quote, "This is encouraging violence against public officials - plain & simple. Absolutely disgusting. No tolerance for this. Haven't we learned the lessons from Washington D.C. just weeks ago?"

Former Pete Buttigieg adviser Lis Smith wrote, "Way way way over the line. Especially in light of what happened at the Capitol on Jan 6."

Democratic New York City Councilwoman Debi Rose reacted by saying, "Really? Did we not learn anything from the Capitol insurrection? We must condemn violence and harassment in any form. #StopTheViolence #MobMentality."

Democratic City Council Member Keith Powers said, "There are plenty of strong opinions and online angst these days, but there is no place for inciting violence or threatening people. This tweet should be removed ASAP. Full stop."

Democratic Senator for the 36th District of the New York Senate Jamaal T. Bailey tweeted, "This is more than tonedeaf, especially considering what's happened in recent days. This is unacceptable and ridiculous. Read the room."

Democratic member of the New York State Assembly Daniel Rosenthal said, "This is dangerous and unacceptable, especially after what happened in DC. Encouraging this kind of violence is unacceptable."

Democratic County Executive of Suffolk County Steve Bellone declared, "Democrats and Republicans must denounce this threat of violence against our fellow New Yorkers. After the Capitol riots, I call on @Twitter to ban this account immediately."

Former Democratic Speaker of the New York City Council Christine Quinn exclaimed, "This is dangerous and outrageous!"

Democratic County Executive of Nassau County Laura Curran was also fooled by the fake quote, "No matter your political party or beliefs, this is completely unacceptable. Nassau County has zero tolerance for hatred and inciting violence."

Democratic Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl E. Heastie wrote, "This is appalling and dangerous. Encouraging violence must never be tolerated. Shame on whoever is behind this kind of garbage."

Democratic Assembly Member for the 42nd District of the New York State Assembly Rodneyse Bichotte was duped, "Threatening government officials & their staff is a crime for which there is a ZERO tolerance policy in Brooklyn & anywhere else. I condemn this tweet & the violence it incites, especially following the insurrection we just experienced at the capitol."

Democratic Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan wrote on Twitter, "This kind of dangerous rhetoric must be called out and condemned by all. Or else we risk repeating the horrendous events of Jan 6th. As leaders, especially in a time of such great challenge, it's incumbent on all of us to appeal to the 'better angels of our nature."

Democratic member of the New York State Senate Todd Kaminsky said, "Completely unacceptable. Haven't we learned the hard lesson that incitements to violence like this actually result in violence? There is no room for this in our discourse. None."

Luis A. Miranda, Jr. said, "You don't like the Governor, you vote him out. After the terrorist attack on our Capitol, threats, of any kind, especially as the right is targeting state capitals, are dangerous. And to target staff? Not cool."

Democratic Speaker of the New York City Council Corey Johnson stated, "The terrifying events of the last month have shown us more clearly than ever that words have consequences. This sort of targeting and incitement is simply wrong, and totally unacceptable."

Democrats finally condemn Maxine Waters' dangerous rhetoric, two years later, and only after they thought it was a Republican saying it.

This is encouraging violence against public officials - plain & simple. Absolutely disgusting. No tolerance for thi… https://t.co/eVBI26AHZQ
— Kathy Hochul (@Kathy Hochul)1611888134.0


Way way way over the line. Especially in light of what happened at the Capitol on Jan 6. https://t.co/bsYpq2tFYK
— Lis Smith (@Lis Smith)1611881727.0


Really? Did we not learn anything from the Capitol insurrection?We must condemn violence and harassment in any… https://t.co/lgfFRJAuxq
— Debi Rose (@Debi Rose)1611888906.0


There are plenty of strong opinions and online angst these days, but there is no place for inciting violence or thr… https://t.co/Iz1MWekVPq
— Keith Powers (@Keith Powers)1611884903.0


This is more than tonedeaf, especially considering what’s happened in recent days. This is unacceptable and ridicul… https://t.co/74qtb6MDj8
— Jamaal T. Bailey (@Jamaal T. Bailey)1611888591.0


This is dangerous and unacceptable, especially after what happened in DC. Encouraging this kind of violence is unac… https://t.co/TZGKg2bsYf
— Daniel Rosenthal (@Daniel Rosenthal)1611888419.0


Democrats and Republicans must denounce this threat of violence against our fellow New Yorkers.After the Capitol… https://t.co/KBBVH4hTP0
— Steve Bellone (@Steve Bellone)1611887868.0


This is dangerous and outrageous! https://t.co/ZnBLqYZLzt
— Christine Quinn (@Christine Quinn)1611887483.0


No matter your political party or beliefs, this is completely unacceptable.Nassau County has zero tolerance for h… https://t.co/0WgM05ngOv
— Laura Curran (@Laura Curran)1611887393.0


This is appalling and dangerous. Encouraging violence must never be tolerated. Shame on whoever is behind this kind… https://t.co/PETZ4fGeZM
— Carl E. Heastie (@Carl E. Heastie)1611886933.0


Threatening government officials & their staff is a crime for which there is a ZERO tolerance policy in Brooklyn &… https://t.co/wLy9bA6Us4
— Rodneyse Bichotte (@Rodneyse Bichotte)1611886755.0


This kind of dangerous rhetoric must be called out and condemned by all. Or else we risk repeating the horrendous e… https://t.co/GDYLjQiOmt
— Pat Ryan 🇺🇸 (@Pat Ryan 🇺🇸)1611891172.0


Completely unacceptable. Haven’t we learned the hard lesson that incitements to violence like this actually result… https://t.co/OqBHv2k9sB
— Todd Kaminsky (@Todd Kaminsky)1611886447.0


You don’t like the Governor, you vote him out. After the terrorist attack on our Capitol, threats, of any kind, esp… https://t.co/zenufFQ70J
— Luis A. Miranda, Jr. (@Luis A. Miranda, Jr.)1611886288.0


The terrifying events of the last month have shown us more clearly than ever that words have consequences. This sor… https://t.co/Pss10jhdZE
— NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson (@NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson)1611885188.0