Radio Recap: Congressman Castro Intentionally Endangers Trump Supporters

By 

Jay Sekulow

|
August 8, 2019

3 min read

Public Policy

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Congressman Castro intentionally endangered the safety of private American citizens who supported President Trump.

On today’s broadcast, we discussed Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) tweeting out a graphic listing the names of 44 San Antonio residents who contributed to the Trump campaign.

Just 24 hours after two horrific shootings, the deadliest of which happened in his own state, the Congressman sent out a list of American citizens – his own constituents – and business owners who contributed financial support to the Trump campaign.

He dismissively argued the list doesn’t endanger anyone, knowing full well that’s completely untrue given the current atmosphere in our country. In fact, his hit list and his comments since have certainly sounded like he wanted people to find and harass these Trump supporters.

Rep. Castro appeared on MSNBC to defend his actions, proclaiming he’d done nothing wrong and that his tweet put no one in danger. Even Morning Joe co-host Willie Geist took Castro to task:

“What do you say to those people this morning when you say, 'I made a campaign donation and now I'm going to be harassed? I'm going to have people protesting outside my business or perhaps even my home?' What do you say to them? Do you want them to repent for their support of President Trump or what do you want from them?”

Castro quickly brushed off the words saying he didn’t want anyone to be harassed, to which Geist cut him off, stating bluntly: “But they will be because you put their names in public.”

Castro’s list even hypocritically included some of his own donors – people who contributed to President Trump’s campaign as well as his own.

What’s also disturbing is multiple times during the interview, Congressman Castro said Trump supporters should “think twice.” That certainly sounds like, at best, an intimidation tactic.

Both Republicans and Democrats have spoken out against Castro’s actions. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) – who nearly died two years ago when he was shot at a public park by a Leftist radical as he was practicing for a Congressional baseball game – called out Castro on Twitter:

People should not be personally targeted for their political views. Period. This isn’t a game. It’s dangerous, and lives are at stake. I know this firsthand.

If the events of this past weekend taught us anything, it’s that we need to stop seeing our neighbors as political enemies. This kind of dangerous targeting isn’t how we heal our nation.

Castro is a member of the United States House of Representatives, meaning it’s his duty to represent and protect ALL of the residents of his district, his state, and his country – not potentially put them in danger. Yet he targeted his constituents with a hit list. Congress needs to take action. Castro needs to be censured for this despicable, dangerous behavior.

You can listen to the full episode here.