GOP congressman defends Trump's racism: 'As far as I know, he hasn't shot anyone'

Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) defended Trump as voters confronted him at a town hall on Thursday night.

Stewart was one of the 167 House Republicans who refused to formally condemn Trump for his racist attack against four Democratic congresswomen in July.

He was confronted on that vote after he spoke about the shootings in El Paso and Dayton and said everyone should condemn violence and racism.

“Why did you vote no to condemn racism?” asked one woman.

“By your question, you’re implying I’m a racist,” Stewart answered.

Several people in the audience pointed out that she had not called him racist but was instead citing his vote in the House.

Here's audio of constituents confronting @RepChrisStewart at his town hall last night, including an exchange with a man who draws a comparison between @realDonaldTrump and Charles Manson #utpol pic.twitter.com/GhxFV6IMBt

— Benjamin Wood (@BjaminWood) August 8, 2019

“Could we all agree that racism is wrong and should be condemned? Could we all agree that violence regardless of the reason should always be condemned?” Stewart asked, trying to move on past the uncomfortable moment.

“Especially if it’s coming from the president of the United States of America,” one person replied. “Especially then.”

“Well the president of the United States, as far as I know, hasn’t shot anyone,” Stewart answered.

“Charles Manson never shot anybody either,” the man replied.

Manson died in prison after serving over four decades behind bars for his pivotal role in orchestrating the murders of nine people in 1969.

While it’s true Trump hasn’t shot anyone, his brand of anti-immigrant rhetoric and hate has been repeatedly cited by those who have attacked innocents.

Along with the shooter in El Paso, the attempted serial bomber Cesar Sayoc, recently sentenced to 20 years in prison, echoed Trump’s attacks on key Democratic figures like President Barack Obama.

Trump has also bragged about his supporters’ cult-like devotion to him and how he could use it to commit a gun crime.

“I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters,” Trump said in 2016.

Trump was supposedly joking about shooting people, but for Stewart, the fact that he hasn’t done it is reason enough to defend him.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.