Lawmakers condemn GOP Rep. Mo Brooks for appearing to sympathize with Capitol Hill bomb threat suspect
In the wake of Thursday's Capitol Hill bomb scare, Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) issued a statement appearing to at least partly sympathize with the now-surrendered suspect who, while in a standoff with authorities, made anti-government remarks and claimed to have explosives in the back of his truck.
"Although this terrorist's motivation is not yet publicly known," Brooks wrote that "generally speaking, I understand citizenry anger directed at dictatorial socialism and its threat to liberty, freedom, and the very fabric of American society." He added that he "strongly [encourages] patriotic Americans" to "fight back in the 2022 and 2024 elections" because "America's future is at risk."
Some of Brooks' colleagues, however, took issue with the lawmaker's partially-supportive response.
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Notably, Brooks is a fervent supporter of former President Donald Trump, and has been accused of helping incite the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
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Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
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