Ranking Member Hoyer: This Conduct is Impermissible in America
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered remarks at the House Committee on Appropriations Full Committee Markup of the FY 2027 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) bill in support of an amendment by U.S. Representative Norma Torres (CA-35) that would prohibit the hiring of insurrectionists who participated in the events of January 6, 2021 from holding a position of responsibility in the federal government. Below are a video and transcript of his remarks:
Click here to watch a video of his remarks.
"The President had the authority to do what he did. The question is, what did the people do? What did these people, who were either convicted or plead guilty and found guilty, do? Mr. Chairman, January 6th, 2021, was one of the darkest days in the history of our country and of our institution. The President of the United States invited people to Washington, D.C. for the express purpose of ‘stopping the steal.’ He then proceeded to incite those people in front of the White House, the White House that he is now dismembering. He then, after inciting that mob, said, ‘I want you to go down to the Capitol, stop the steal,’ and a direct quote is ‘Fight like hell.’ This was not an act of a President of the United States to suggest that people involve themselves in petitioning their government. It was [an] incitement to destroy their government, undermine the Constitution of the United States, and to have the result the loss of life by some officers, the injury of others, and to send a message around the country that the Constitution should be undermined by force. That is treason, and the rationalization of treason is a danger to our nation, and then incitement to others to do the same.
"The President said that he would pardon some 1500 people who were found guilty or pled guilty, either by a jury of their peers or by a judge, or by their own admission. The President had said during the course of the campaign to the Proud Boys, ‘Stand back and stand by.’ Why did he pardon these people over the objections of some of his supporters? In my view, it is because he wanted them to ‘stand by and stand back,’ and as a result, he pardoned them so that they would be out of prison. I don't think there's a previous example of this action by any President of the United States. This is an incitement to the extent that people can rationalize, ‘Well, if he calls us again to Washington, if he loses his hope to violate the Constitution again and be elected a third time,’ or, perhaps, as he said, ‘If you elect me, you won't have to have another election.’ That's a quote. I don't know exactly what he meant by that, but it is ominous. And if we as a Congress continue to pretend that was just another day in Washington, we undermine our oath and our country.
"This amendment says we will not rationalize it by having people who pled guilty, found guilty, pardoned or not, serve in the institution that they threatened on January 26th – excuse me, January 6th, 2021. But I fear that that group of 1500 people is going to watch this committee and see some 33 or 34 people say, ‘It was okay. We’ll forget it. Come work with us.’ The lady's amendment simply says, ‘We are not going to rationalize insurrection. We're not going to stand by – stand back and stand by while this occurs.’ I urge us all to stand united and say this conduct is impermissible in America. You go to the ballot box, you debate, you resolve differences peacefully. Support this amendment."