Schumer interrupted by protester: ‘You should be questioned about your diabolical record’
by Mary McCue Bell · The Washington TimesA protester called Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer a “genocidal maniac” Thursday, interrupting the New York Democrat’s speech on legislation to create a new anti-corruption agency.
As Mr. Schumer was discussing what he called corruption committed by President Trump, an audience member in the front row at the National Press Club in Washington stood up to confront him.
“You talk about corruption — how can you talk about corruption when you back genocide? What can be more corrupt than genocide? This is part of the same con of you and Trump playing off of each other,” he said.
The protester is reportedly political activist Sam Husseini, the director for communications at the Institute for Public Accuracy.
He pointed to the Center for Constitutional Rights’ 2023 filing about “potential liability for aiding, abetting, inciting or conspiring to commit genocide through congressional actions and demands.”
“War criminals should be held accountable by local, state and federal law enforcement to the fullest extent possible, and they should be shunned — not publicly supported — by public officials,” the organization said at the time.
“You were put on notice, and you backed it — you backed this genocide for years on end,” the protester said, referring to Israel’s campaign in Gaza. “How dare you talk about corruption?”
After letting the audience member speak, Mr. Schumer said, “Thank you for your diatribe. Now let’s continue. Let’s continue.”
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When the audience member did not stop, Mr. Schumer said, “The people didn’t come to hear you.”
“You should be questioned about your diabolical record,” the protester said. “It’s amazing that you can show your genocidal face in public.”
He was eventually escorted out before calling the lawmaker a “genocidal maniac.”
Mr. Schumer has a long history of supporting Israel, though his relationship with its current leadership has faced friction.
He consistently pushes for military and security aid, but faces balancing pressure from within his own party. Far-left lawmakers seek to block arms sales to Israel. More moderate Democrats call for pro-Israel legislative action.
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Mary McCue Bell
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