Congressman shouts down immigration activists: 'Are you an example of the America we can expect?'

(Image credit: Screenshot/NBC)

last updated 18 April 2016

The Supreme Court began hearing arguments on Monday on a challenge to President Obama's executive action on immigration, stirring the emotions of both immigration activists as well as their opponents. One critic of Obama's plan, Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), went as far as to shout down a group of activists outside the Supreme Court on Monday, mockingly asking if "I need to start reading the constitution" while chiding the protesters for allegedly violating the First Amendment by assembling in a way that wasn't peaceable.

"You're supposed to be demonstrating what good citizens you would make," King scolded the protesters, whom he accused of interrupting. King then asked sarcastically, "Are you an example of the America we can expect?"

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.