Former Secretary of State John Kerry backed President Trump’s criticism of a House Republican over a threat to delay a vote on an economic relief package to address the fallout from the coronavirus.
“Breaking news: Congressman Massie has tested positive for being an asshole. He must be quarantined to prevent the spread of his massive stupidity,” Kerry tweeted Friday, referring to Rep. Thomas Massie.
Kerry also shared Trump’s tweet disparaging the Kentucky congressman as “a third rate Grandstander.”
Breaking news: Congressman Massie has tested positive for being an asshole. He must be quarantined to prevent the spread of his massive stupidity. He’s given new meaning to the term #Masshole. (Finally, something the president and I can agree on!) https://t.co/N1CNLPsZjc
— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) March 27, 2020
Trump appeared to relish Kerry’s comments, tweeting back: “Never knew John Kerry had such a good sense of humor! Very impressed!”
Never knew John Kerry had such a good sense of humor! Very impressed! https://t.co/vCVNMUeY2h
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020
Massie, a libertarian-leaning Republican, tweeted the constitutional requirement for a quorum on Thursday, which requires at least half of the members present. If no one calls for a quorum, it is assumed one exists. But Massie’s request for a roll-call vote and a quorum would force other House members self-isolating to stop the spread of the coronavirus to come back to Washington for a vote and delay passage of the package by hours or days.
Because of Massie’s threat, many members decided to travel to Washington when they would have otherwise stayed home to prevent the spread of the respiratory disease.
