House Minority Whip Steve Scalise is calling on CNN anchor Jake Tapper to apologize for a comment he made about disabled veteran Rep. Brian Mast’s “commitment to democracy.”
“That was a disgraceful comment,” Scalise told Fox News on Thursday. “Jake Tapper needs to just apologize and admit what he said was wrong. I’m dear friends with Brian Mast. Brian last night went to Walter Reed Hospital and worked out with wounded warriors.”
“Brian lost two legs fighting for this country,” Scalise continued. “To question his love for this country, and his commitment to this country, when he literally lost his two legs and lost some fingers as a bomb squad technician fighting for our freedoms, he [Tapper] owes Brian Mast an apology.”
“Brian Mast is the kind of person that makes this country great,” Scalise added. “He’s an American hero, and Jake really should just apologize and drop it.”
Earlier in the week, Tapper was covering the impeachment process launched against President Trump in the aftermath of the recent riot on Capitol Hill and openly questioned Mast’s commitment to democracy in the United States due to his support of Trump’s election challenges.
“Congressman Brian Mast … who lost his legs, by the way, fighting for democracy abroad, although I don’t know … about his commitment to it here in the United States,” Tapper said.
Jake Tapper:
“Congressman Brian Mast… who lost his legs by the way fighting for democracy abroad, although I don’t know — about his commitment to it here in the United States” pic.twitter.com/GidrZHUzOe
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 13, 2021
The comment was immediately slammed by conservatives on Twitter, and Mast, who lost two legs serving in Afghanistan as an explosive ordnance technician, responded with a tweet of his own.
“I lost two legs for @jaketapper‘s right to say whatever the hell he wants, but that free speech also protects the Republicans he is so eager to condemn for asking Constitutional questions about the election,” Mast tweeted.
I lost two legs for @jaketapper‘s right to say whatever the hell he wants, but that free speech also protects the Republicans he is so eager to condemn for asking Constitutional questions about the election. https://t.co/ViNrwz9cbU
— Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) January 13, 2021
In response to Mast, Tapper called Mast a hero but repeated his comment regarding democracy.
“You’re a hero for your service and I’m grateful, as I’ve said before,” Tapper tweeted. “And yes i question the commitment to democracy of anyone who spread election lies, signed onto that deranged TX AG lawsuit, and voted to commit sedition. You were not just asking questions.”
You’re a hero for your service and I’m grateful, as I’ve said before. And yes i question the commitment to democracy of anyone who spread election lies, signed onto that deranged TX AG lawsuit, and voted to commit sedition. You were not just asking questions.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 14, 2021
