Progressive lawmakers unleashed a tweetstorm on former President Barack Obama after he chided them for promoting the defund the police movement.
Obama’s criticism follows other party leaders like House Majority Whip James Clyburn, who’s argued since the election the anti-law enforcement slogan cost Democrats more than a few down ballot races.
However, liberal Democrats weren’t content to passively listen to this latest scolding.
Fox News’ Megan Henney reports:
Obama made the comments during an interview with Peter Hamby on the Snapchat original political show “Good Luck America” that aired Wednesday morning.
“You lost a big audience the minute you say it, which makes it a lot less likely that you’re actually going to get the changes you want done,” Obama said. “The key is deciding, do you want to actually get something done, or do you want to feel good among the people you already agree with?”
Obama’s comments seemed to reflect the influence of communist-minded community organizer Saul Alinsky, who urged activists to work within the established system. Less capable politicians didn’t appreciate his nuanced approach.
We lose people in the hands of police. It’s not a slogan but a policy demand. And centering the demand for equitable investments and budgets for communities across the country gets us progress and safety. https://t.co/Vu6inw4ms7
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 2, 2020
Other members of the so-called “Squad” joined Omar in pushing back against Obama’s comments.
Rosa Parks was vilified & attacked for her civil disobedience. She was targeted. It’s hard seeing the same people who uplift her courage, attack the movement for Black lives that want us to prioritize health, funding of schools & ending poverty, rather than racist police systems.
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) December 2, 2020
The murders of generations of unarmed Black folks by police have been horrific. Lives are at stake daily so I’m out of patience with critiques of the language of activists.
Whatever a grieving family says is their truth.
And I’ll never stop fighting for their justice & healing.
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) December 2, 2020
With all due respect, Mr. President—let’s talk about losing people. We lost Michael Brown Jr. We lost Breonna Taylor. We’re losing our loved ones to police violence.
It’s not a slogan. It’s a mandate for keeping our people alive. Defund the police. https://t.co/Wsxp1Y1bBi
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) December 2, 2020
Democrats expected to gain as many as 20 seats in the House of Representatives last month. Instead, Republicans flipped at least ten. The election results indicate a challenging midterm awaits House Democrats already clinging to their narrowest majority since the Great Depression.
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