Usually the Left and journalists are major allies. But not in this scenario.
And a Democrat congress-members blew up on a reporter during an extremely heated exchange.
Congressman David Scott Sparks Controversy After Confrontation with Photojournalist
Democratic Congressman David Scott of Georgia recently confronted a photojournalist outside the U.S. Capitol, questioning his right to take photos.
Witnesses at the scene reported that Scott, 79, was being pushed in his wheelchair by an aide when he angrily addressed Politico’s Francis Chung, shouting, “Who gave you the right to take my picture, a**hole?”
The incident didn’t end there. According to Politico, Scott’s staffer returned to confront Chung and other journalists, asking which outlet Chung represented.
The aide, according to Politico, reportedly said, “I’m going to ask you to not come and take a picture of us as we’re trying to get into the Capitol.” When Chung responded that he wasn’t obstructing their path, the staffer raised their voice, repeating “no” and adding, “We will be reaching out to your editor, whoever it is we have to reach out to.” Attempts to get a comment from Scott’s office about the incident were unsuccessful, Politico reports.
The incident quickly gained traction on social media, where users didn’t hesitate to answer Scott’s question, pointing to the press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.
This isn’t the first time concerns have been raised about Scott’s conduct. Earlier this year, Politico reported that some of Scott’s colleagues have questioned his capacity to serve effectively in Congress.
“Even in private meetings, Scott frequently reads from a script and at times has trouble carrying out substantive conversations in real time about much of the food and agriculture policy that he oversees,” the report states, citing more than a dozen lawmakers, staffers, lobbyists, and agriculture advocates who spoke anonymously.
The concerns extend beyond Scott’s cognitive sharpness. While he has been described as “well-liked by members in both parties,” critics note that he was “much sharper a decade ago,” Politico reports.
According to the outlet, one Democratic lawmaker shared, “I imagine just about every person is in favor of new leadership, and if there is anyone who says otherwise, then they’re not telling the truth.”
The same lawmaker added, “David Scott is Exhibit A for term limits. He was a respected, talented member who has become diminished. And it’s painful for people to watch.”
The confrontation with Chung comes shortly after Scott was replaced as the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee.
The change will take effect when the new Congress convenes next month.
Growing Concern About Older Members Of Congress
Congressman Scott’s depleting mental and physical faculties are just another example of a concerning trend in Congress right now. There are a number of elderly members in Congress who should quite frankly not be serving in government.
Two notable ones are Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Pelosi recently suffered a fall during a trip abroad. The fall resulted in the 84-year-old congresswoman breaking her hip.
Sen. McConnell also recently fell and there was a photo of him being pushed around in a wheelchair shortly after the incident. This comes after the Republican senator experienced several episodes where he froze up while giving a press conference. McConnell has also had several injuries from falls in the past few years.
BREAKING: Leaked photo of disgraced Senator Mitch McConnell needing to be carted around by staff in a wheelchair after crippling health scares.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 11, 2024
McConnell, 82, has been hiding his condition from the public for years.
We must pass term limits in America.
Source: @emilyjashinsky pic.twitter.com/cHKOsCrQK4
Congress and American politics in general aren’t for those who are in poor mental and physical health. There’s nothing wrong with being someone who is in their seventies or early eighties serving, like Donald Trump for example. The problem arises when a politician just isn’t as sharp as they used to be, therefore affecting their ability to govern.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.