US host puts Republican on spot over ‘violent’ anti-Pelosi video

Republican Congressman Tom Emmer was confronted over his use of a gun in a political ad ahead heightened risk of political violence during the US midterms elections. In a clip posted on his Twitter feed that has since been deleted, the Republican Congressman fires a gun with the caption saying “Let’s #FirePelosi” in reference to campaign to get the House Speaker out of the House. CBS news anchor Margaret Brennan said his usage of a gun with the hashtag Nancy Pelosi could lead some individuals to believe that taking up arms is the only way Republicans can win over Democrats.CBS news anchor Margaret Brennan asked Republican Congressman Tom Emmer on Face The Nation: “I want to ask you about this when it comes to political violence. “In your Twitter feed, you posted this video just a few days ago where you’re firing a gun and it says: ‘Enjoyed exercising my Second Amendment rights #FirePelosi’.  “Why is there a gun in a political ad at all?”The Republican Congressman defended: “That wasn’t an ad.” Margaret Brennan put Tom Emmer on the spot over his use of weapons in a political ad (Image: TWITTER/@MikeSington) Tom Emmer claimed the video of him is not a political ad (Image: TWITTER/@MikeSington)The CBS news anchor fired back: “Hashtag Fire Pelosi with a weapon! Wouldn’t a pink slip be more fitting if it’s about firing her? Why a gun?”Congressman Tom Emmer said: “It’s interesting they were talking about this this morning when a couple of years back when a [Democratic candidate in 2016] Bernie Sanders supporter shot Steve Scalise…”CBS’s Maragret Brennan fired back: “Which was horrendous and horrific, which is why we should not be putting weapons.”Mr Emmer continued: “When that supporter shot Steve Scalise, I never heard you or anyone else in the media trying to blame Democrats for what happened.”READ MORE: Republicans warn of ‘civil war’ if party loses in US midterm elections Margaret Brennan asked the Republican Congressman why he is using a gun in a political ad (Image: TWITTER/@MikeSington) Margaret Brennan and Tom Emmer clashed over political violence in America (Image: TWITTER/@MikeSington)CBS’s Brennan said: “We did extensive coverage of what happened to Steve Scalise. There is extensive news coverage, sir.”Mr Emmer said: “Nobody tried to equate Democrats’ rhetoric.”CBS’s Brennan retorted: “I’m not talking about your rhetoric, I’m talking about what you posted. You’re shooting a gun! Hashtag Fire Pelosi!”Mr Emmer said: “That’s right. Exercising our Second Amendment Rights.”DON’T MISS:Biden scrambles as Republicans lead midterms charge [REPORT]  Pro-life Walker faces second claim he paid for ex to have abortion [REPORT] New York governor race tightens as crime dominates debate [REPORT]   Tom Emmer posted a video of him firing a gun with the caption saying: ‘Let’s #FirePelosi’ (Image: TWITTER/@MikeSington)CBS news anchor Margaret Brennan blasted the Republican Congressman, saying the video could be suggestive to “people who are in a bad state” of taking up arms ahead of the highly-polarised midterm elections.The threat of political violence amped up after Nancy Pelosi’s husband was attacked in their San Francisco’s house, as the US security agencies issued a heightened threat advisory and warned that other candidates as well as poll workers could come under attack.”We assess some [domestic violent extremists] motivated by election-related grievances would likely view election-related infrastructure, personnel, and voters involved in the election process as attractive targets – including at publicly accessible locations like polling places, ballot drop-box locations, voter registration sites, campaign events, and political party offices,” the bulletin said.Both houses of Congress are still very much up for grabs with Democrats and Republicans evenly split in terms of vote share. Republicans lead with a razor-thin margin of less than one percent over Democrats, according to polls aggregator FiveThirtyEight.READ NEXT:Donald Trump 2024 White House bid torn apart by Paul Ryan Zeldin says New York ‘in crisis’ during fiery debate with HochulBiden braces for ‘red wave’ in midterms as high inflation grips USDeSantis blasts rival Crist as poll puts Florida Governor aheadBiden’s campaign visits are boosting rival Republicans in key states