Squad members want consequences for Republican who tweeted anime video attacking AOC

Washington DC – House Democrats, including Squad members Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar, are planning to introduce a resolution to censure Republican Rep. Paul Gosar after he shared an anime video in which he violently attacks AOC and Joe Biden.

Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley (r.) will join a group of House Democrats in introducing a resolution concerning a violent video that targets New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (l.).
Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley (r.) will join a group of House Democrats in introducing a resolution concerning a violent video that targets New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (l.).  © IMAGO / UPI Photo

"For a Member of Congress to post a manipulated video on his social media accounts depicting himself killing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Biden is a clear cut case for censure," the resolution co-sponsors said in a statement.

Censure is essentially a public-shaming tactic in which the Congress member in question must stand in front of all their colleagues while the House Speaker reads out the resolution.

The form of rebuke is used in cases not deemed extreme enough to actually expel the representative.

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The call for Gosar's censure has come after the Arizona congressman shared an Attack on Titan-inspired video to his social media.

The now-deleted clip depicted an anime version of the Republican representative, joined by colleagues Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert, killing a giant with the face of fellow House Rep. AOC. It also included blood-spattered images of Black and brown migrants mixed with footage glorifying mostly white border patrol officers.

Referring to Gosar, Pressley and co. said, "For that Member to post such a video on his official Instagram account and use his official congressional resources in the House of Representatives to further violence against elected officials goes beyond the pale."

Gosar defends himself

Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar released a statement defending his decision to share the violent video on social media.
Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar released a statement defending his decision to share the violent video on social media.  © IMAGO / UPI Photo

House Democrats pointed out the dangerous consequences of rhetoric like Gosar's.

"As the events of January 6th have shown, such vicious and vulgar messaging can and does foment actual violence," they said.

"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."

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Gosar has since defended himself, stating the video was merely a "symbolic portrayal of a fight over immigration policy" and not meant to encourage violence against any real-life politicians.

"Congressman Gosar cannot fly," the Tuesday statement added, in case anyone was confused.

Cover photo: IMAGO / UPI Photo

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