‘Did I strike a nerve?’: Rep. Val Demings blasts Rep. Jim Jordan in confrontation over police support
“Mr. Jordan you don’t know what the heck you’re talking about.”
Rep. Val Demings of Florida and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio got into a heated exchange Tuesday during a House Judiciary Committee hearing over policing, after the Republican congressman interrupted the Democratic lawmaker as she was giving an impassioned speech.
Demings, who served with Orlando police for 27 years and became the department’s first female chief of police, was accusing Republicans of using police officers as “pawns,” and only providing support if politically convenient, when Jordan interjected.
“I have the floor Mr. Jordan,” Demings responded, banging her hand on the desk. “Did I strike a nerve? Law enforcement officers deserve better than to be utilized as pawns. And you and your colleagues should be ashamed of yourselves.”
The argument arose during debate over proposed legislation, the Covid-19 Hate Crime Act, which aims to address the surge in racist attacks during the pandemic and includes funding to law enforcement agencies to respond to hate crimes, according to the Washington Post. Demings was speaking in response to a proposed amendment from Republicans that would prevent efforts to defund police, even though the bill makes no mention of defunding law enforcement.
House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler banged his gavel in an attempt to restore order to the hearing, reminding his colleagues interruptions during a speaker’s time are not allowed. But Jordan continued to attempt to object.
“Mr. Jordan, you don’t know what the heck you’re talking about,” Demings said.
Watch the full exchange below:
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