Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., apologized for a tweet Thursday in which he said “Boo hoo hoo” to threats that Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and her office have received regarding Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who has been accused of sexual misconduct.
“Sexual assault victims deserve respect. And senators shouldn’t be threatened by the public. I said something stupid and minimized ugly behavior,” Swalwell said in a tweet.
Sexual assault victims deserve respect. And senators shouldn’t be threatened by the public. I said something stupid and minimized ugly behavior. That tweet is deleted and I’m sorry for that.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) September 20, 2018
Swalwell also said, amid intense backlash from a wide array of people including prominent journalists like CNN’s Jake Tapper, that he “didn’t mean to suggest” violence.
Christine Blasey Ford has accused Kavanaugh of forcing himself upon her in the 1980s while they were both in high school. Kavanaugh has rejected the allegation. Since coming forward with her allegation, Ford has been forced to move and has encountered death threats, according to Ford’s lawyers.
Collins, who is considered a critical vote on the nomination decision, revealed she and her office have also received threats. “My office has received some pretty ugly voicemails, threats, terrible things said to my staff,” Collins said in an interview Wednesday with WVOM, a Maine radio station.
[Related: Susan Collins calls on Christine Blasey Ford to testify about Kavanaugh claim]
Swalwell belittled her predicament.
“Boo hoo hoo,” Swalwell said in his now-deleted tweet sent early Thursday morning. “You’re a senator who police will protect. A sexual assault victim can’t sleep in her home tonight because of threats. Where are you sleeping? She’s on her own while you and your @SenateGOP colleagues try to rush her through a hearing.”
After Ford’s allegation were revealed, the Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled a public hearing for Monday. Kavanaugh, who rejects the accusation, agreed to testify, but Ford’s lawyers say their client won’t agree to testimony until the FBI to conducts an investigation.
“I hope that Dr. Ford will reconsider and testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday,” Collins tweeted Wednesday. “It is my understanding that the Committee has offered to hold either a public or a private session, whichever would make her more comfortable.”
I hope that Dr. Ford will reconsider and testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. It is my understanding that the Committee has offered to hold either a public or a private session, whichever would make her more comfortable.
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) September 19, 2018
