Topline
Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., made Sunday comments encouraging conspiracy theories about vaccines. He also defended Capitol rioters, and appeared to endorse more Jan. 6-style rallies. Even warning of bloodshed over Republicans' baseless election fraud claims.
UNITED STATES – May 14: Madison Cawthorn (Republican from North Carolina) makes his way to a House Republican... Conference meeting to vote for the new chairperson. He replaces Rep. Liz Cheney (Republican from Wyoming), who was fired from the GOP leadership after she criticized former President Donald Trump. This took place in Washington, Washington, Friday, May 14, 2021. (Photo by Caroline Brehman/CQ–Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images). CQ–Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
The Key Facts
Cawthorn made the same claims about former President Donald Trump's election fraud, stating that Trump and Dan Forest, who lost their North Carolina governorships in 2020, won their respective elections. Cawthorn indicated that he will challenge any losses in the midterm elections. He also promised supporters that they would have a secure election. Cawthorn joined fellow Republicans like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, (R-Ga.), in questioning the efficacy of coronavirus vaccines. He called them experimental despite last week's approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Cawthorn spokesperson Luke Ball stated to Forbes that Cawthorn was very clear in his support for violence against those who are ill-informed about election integrity. He also said that Cawthorn doesn't advocate any illegal action and that due process should be applied to Capitol riot defendants.
Chief Critic
This is exactly what DHS, FBI, and intel agencies warned would almost certainly encourage domestic extremists in violence. CNN's national security reporter Zachary Cohen tweeted that Cawthorn was a possible target in a request for telecom records issued Monday by a House committee investigating the Jan.6 attack.
Important Quote
Cawthorn stated that the Second Amendment was not meant to be used for hunting. The Second Amendment was intended to fight against tyranny.
Tangent
Cawthorn referred to his letter to Kamala Harris, urging her to remove Biden. He told supporters that he would remove Joe Biden from office and that Kamala Harris would be removed one by one if she inevitably makes a mistake. Cawthorn suggested impeaching Harris, if Biden resigns. This is unlikely as Republicans retake Congress.
