The White House has condemned recent remarks made by Congresswoman Cori Bush, calling them “inflammatory and divisive” during a press briefing held on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
The comments in question were made by Rep. Bush in a speech following her electoral defeat, where she targeted the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), saying:
“I’m coming to tear your kingdom down.”
Bush lost to Democratic primary challenger Wesley Bell and blamed money spent by AIPAC for her defeat then claimed the loss had served to “radicalize her.”
When asked about President Joe Biden’s stance on Rep. Bush’s statement by a journalist during the press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated the administration’s commitment to lowering political rhetoric, especially in light of recent violent incidents, including an assassination attempt on a former president.
“The president has always been very clear, and very recently, after the assassination attempt on the last president, about low rhetoric—right, low political rhetoric—and the importance of doing that,” Jean-Pierre stated. “This kind of rhetoric is inflammatory and divisive and incredibly unhelpful. We’re going to continue to condemn any type of political rhetoric in that vein.”
Jean-Pierre stressed the significance of being mindful of the language used in political discourse, particularly during a time when the nation is facing heightened political tensions.
“We cannot have this type of inflammatory, divisive language in our political discourse—not now, not ever,” she added.
Rep. Bush’s comments have sparked debate, particularly within political circles, as they highlight ongoing tensions between progressive Democrats and pro-Israel lobbying groups like AIPAC.
Bush has been an outspoken opponent of Israel, stepping up her rhetoric after the Israeli government’s military response in Gaza to the Oct. 7 terror attacks. Bush said leaving Congress “takes some strings off” and now she’ll be able to invest more of her time in progressive politics.
Bush first broke into the national politics scene as a member of the “squad,” a group of progressive politicians that were elected in opposition to Donald Trump’s conservatism.
She is the second member of the “squad” to lose her seat after AIPAC’s massive fundraising campaign, following Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s (D-NY) ouster in June.
