Representative Jerrold Nadler, a ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, came under fire for closing his eyes and lowering his head during congressional testimony from mothers who had lost their daughters to crimes allegedly committed by illegal immigrants. The incident sparked outrage among Republicans and witnesses who felt disrespected and dismissed.
Representative Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat from New York, faced intense criticism for his apparent lack of attention during a congressional hearing on the impacts of migrant crime on victims' families. The incident, which was captured in a widely circulated photograph, occurred on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, as mothers whose daughters had been brutally raped and murdered by suspected illegal immigrants shared their traumatic stories.
Democrats Slammed for Disrespectful Behavior During Testimony by Victims of Migrant Crime
In the photo, Nadler can be seen with his head down and his eyes closed, while an aide next to him appears to be looking at his cellphone. The image ignited outrage among Republican lawmakers and audience members who felt that the Democrats present were not taking the issue seriously and were disrespectful of the grieving families.
Among those who testified was Patty Morin, whose 37-year-old daughter, Rachel, was brutally raped and murdered after police say an illegal immigrant attacked her on a jogging trail near her home in Maryland. Morin expressed her disappointment and anger at the lack of attention from the Democrats during her testimony.
Democrats Slammed for Disrespectful Behavior During Testimony by Victims of Migrant Crime
"One of the ladies that came with me, she took a picture of the Democrats on the other side as we were speaking and telling our stories, us, the mothers, mothers crying, telling our stories – and one of them is sleeping, and the other one's on his phone," Morin said.
Cathie Groenewold, a church friend of Morin's who took the photo, said she found Nadler's demeanor deeply offensive.
Democrats Slammed for Disrespectful Behavior During Testimony by Victims of Migrant Crime
"I was astounded at the careless attitude of Jerry Nadler and… the man sitting to his right," Groenewold told Fox News Digital. "They are pouring out their hearts, these women, who have lost their children to fentanyl and the most gruesome murders you could imagine, and they don’t have the common decency to sit up and give them their undivided attention."
Republicans, including Representatives Chip Roy of Texas and Dan Bishop of North Carolina, condemned Nadler's actions and accused the Democrats of treating the hearing as a partisan stunt. They argued that the stories of the victims deserved the full attention of the lawmakers, regardless of their political affiliations.
Democrats Slammed for Disrespectful Behavior During Testimony by Victims of Migrant Crime
"These women are drawing attention to a serious issue," Roy said. "It's not a stunt, and they weren't coerced into coming."
Democrats, however, defended Nadler's behavior, arguing that he was simply showing empathy by closing his eyes and taking a moment to compose himself. They also accused the Republicans of trying to politicize the hearing and using the victims for their own gain.
Democrats Slammed for Disrespectful Behavior During Testimony by Victims of Migrant Crime
The hearing highlighted the deep divide between Democrats and Republicans on the issue of migrant crime. Republicans argue that the Biden administration's open border policies have created a crisis that has allowed dangerous criminals to enter the country and commit heinous acts. Democrats, on the other hand, maintain that the border is under control and that the focus should be on addressing the root causes of migration from Central America.
The testimonies of the victims' families brought to light the devastating consequences of migrant crime and the urgent need for solutions. They also raised concerns about the safety of American citizens and the failure of the government to protect them from those who enter the country illegally and engage in criminal activities.
