Yahoo Sports Steve Kerr calls out Sens. Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Josh Hawley after attack on U.S. Capitol
Following a violent attack by supporters of President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had a message for Republican senators who stoked the election conspiracy theories that sparked Wednesday’s insurrection.
Speaking with media ahead of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, Kerr suggested that Sens. Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Josh Hawley do the same before meeting at the Capitol.
“I wish that people like Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Josh Hawley had to do pregame media before they met in Congress,” Kerr said. “It would be great for them to answer the question: ‘Are you happy now? Do you keep moving the line back? Does this change anything? Are you going to continue to enable?’”
Why did Kerr single out senators?
Hawley, a Trump loyalist representing Missouri, was the first senator to announce that he would object to the counting of electoral college votes that confirm President-elect Joe Biden as Trump’s successor. Hawley cited baseless election theories spouted by Trump that votes in some states that went for Biden were invalid.
He was seen supporting the mob on Wednesday.
From our Francis Chung, Sen. Josh Hawley greeting protesters in the east side of the Capitol before riots began. pic.twitter.com/I8DjBCDuoP
— Manuel Quinones (@ManuelQ) January 6, 2021
That count was slated to take place by Congress on Wednesday before the mob propped up by Trump and his supporters attacked the Capitol in an attempt to overthrow the democratic process.
Hawley declined to retract his objection when the Senate reconvened Wednesday evening in the aftermath of the attack.
Cruz, a Trump loyalist representing Texas, also vowed before the attack to object to the electoral college vote count. He was one of six senators alongside Hawley to follow through on his objection Wednesday night.
Rubio, a Florida Republican, declined to state his stance on the electoral college certification. He floated a baseless conspiracy theory on election day that supported Trump’s attempt to delegitimize the election.
Trump is up in #Florida by 3.5 points & 381000 votes with 91% reporting & only 50000 votes left to count.
It’s over. So why won’t they call the race?
To deny Trump an early swing state win until Arizona and Nevada close.— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 4, 2020
Kerr talks police response to Capitol mob
Kerr also addressed the discrepancy in how police dealt with the mostly white rioters on Wednesday compared to the systemic violence endured by Black Americans at the hands of law enforcement.
“What you’re seeing today is a reminder that there’s a huge difference,” Kerr said. … We all understand there would’ve been guns ablaze and fire ablaze right now if there were Black people protesting. … Nothing is going to change until we acknowledge there is a huge difference in how Black people are treated in regards to law enforcement.”
Police were seen Wednesday posing with attackers and helping them walk down stairs.
Cops are taking selfies with the terrorists. pic.twitter.com/EjkQ83h1p2
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 6, 2021
Police hand walking a rioter down the stairs for her comfort. pic.twitter.com/IaNPs7OMRJ
— Alafair Burke (@alafairburke) January 6, 2021
Kerr wasn’t the only person to make that observation on Wednesday.
After Kerr’s pregame comments, Warriors and Clippers players took a knee during the pregame national anthem.
After a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol earlier today, the Clippers and Warriors kneel during the playing of the National Anthem here in Chase Center. The Warriors are wearing Black Lives Matter T-shirts. pic.twitter.com/4SzGtPF6ft
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 7, 2021
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