r/politics • u/kootles10 Indiana • 9h ago
No Paywall Rep. Andy Harris falsely tells journalist that recording him is illegal
https://www.ms.now/news/rep-andy-harris-falsely-tells-journalist-that-recording-him-is-illegal504
u/kootles10 Indiana 9h ago edited 9h ago
From the article:
Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., berated a reporter Tuesday after an election debate, wrongly telling her that it was illegal for her to record his press conference and threatening to refer her to a prosecutor.
The exchange, captured in a video shared by The Baltimore Banner, became heated when Cat Murphy, a journalist for Capital News Service, asked Harris, who is seeking re-election, a question about the Iran war while recording him.
“You said that the war in Iran could have gone smoother and it could have gone better. What did you mean by that?” Murphy asked Harris in a room full of other journalists also recording the conversation.
But instead of answering her question, Harris repeatedly told Murphy that she did not have his permission to record him and threatened to refer her “to the prosecutor.” Harris invoked the Maryland law that “prohibits the recording of electronic communications unless all parties give consent.” That law, however, does not apply to journalists at news conferences, where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.
“Everyone else in here is recording,” Murphy said.
“But you are not allowed to. We are in a two-party state,” Harris responded, and called for an officer.
“Why am I not allowed to?” she said, to which Harris replied, “Because I refuse to give you permission to record.”
I was looking for a link to a video of him crashing out at a debate, found this instead
Link to video: https://x.com/BaltimoreBanner/status/2110353543022752199
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u/doucheydp 9h ago
This gives off sovereign citizen levels of stupidity and misunderstanding of how the law works.
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u/kootles10 Indiana 9h ago
Ask him about it apparently he knows it because he's a legislator- a quote directly from him in the video. And he's 100% wrong
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u/whatproblems 9h ago
besides isn’t this an issue with private conversations and not one in an obviously public space? isn’t that acceptable everywhere?
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u/SlurmDreams 9h ago
Yes. It only applies to private conversation. Not conversation in public.
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u/bandalooper 7h ago
He also bitched about them not respecting his First Amendment rights.
You know, the ones that restrict government actors like him, not the press or any of the people he was mad at.
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u/DaHolk 4h ago
Even if that wasn't the case. Nobody stopped him from talking but himself? Nor was there any punishment threatened for doing so. Third parties reacting to being told what kind of stuff spews from your mouth isn't a threat of punishment?
If anything that person encouraged him profusely to exercise his right to say whatever he pleases.
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u/olsaltyfingas 2h ago
Consent is implied when you're literally sitting there with a recording device in plain view in a public space. You are not required to speak, that would be you declining to consent to being recorded in that situation. Dude is a moron and the eastern shore deserves better
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u/GamingTatertot Virginia 9h ago
He’s also talking about Maryland law when he is, in fact, a federal legislator and hasn’t served in state politics for 15 years
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u/deathrictus 6h ago
The dipshit also claimed they were infringing his first amendment rights when they laughed at him. He has no clue about anything apparently.
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u/Michael_G_Bordin 4h ago
Classic conservative: the law protects me from you recording me, and binds you from offending me.
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u/CategoryZestyclose91 2h ago
What it really gives off is ‘sheer arrogance and profound disdain for his constituents and fellow Americans’.
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u/oliversurpless Massachusetts 8h ago
While it may seem like a great long while ago, shades of Greg Gianforte in Montana…
Anyone remember him and how his lying only grew after he bodyslammed a reporter?
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u/Going_Native 8h ago
Remember the ad with his family all calling him a piece of shit? Lol
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u/oliversurpless Massachusetts 8h ago edited 7h ago
Think that was Paul Gosar?
But they all fit “a mold” since May 2015 really.
And given a frequent banality of right-wingers against left-wingers/atheists was that they “don’t believe in ANYTHING!”, that’s a real phenomenon in itself…
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u/fiction8 3h ago
Remember how he's been re-elected and elected 3 times since then? Montana thinks it's fine that someone like him is their current Governor.
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u/LimpyDan 9h ago
I wish she had pursued the whole bit of just passing the camera to someone else.
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u/Bobson-_Dugnutt2 6h ago
Yeah I wish one of the other journalist would have just said “you can have my video”
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u/Bikin4Balance Canada 6h ago
If he spouts this kind of BS threat in front of the full glare of cameras, imagine what kind of stupidity he must get up to when there are no media watching
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u/flare_force 6h ago
He’s giving petulant toddler who pooped in his diaper and doesn’t want anyone to check it even though everyone KNOWS he stinks…
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u/SpoogeMagoo65 9h ago
I mean it's not much different than Trump banning certain press outlets at the WH. We they get asked questions they don't like the just attack the press and try to get them removed.
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u/Clark_Kent_TheSJW New York 9h ago
I hope this guy realizes how badly he’s fucked himself these last few days.
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u/kootles10 Indiana 9h ago
If you didn't watch the video, do it. It's bad
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u/Cocheeeze 9h ago
This guy honestly seems like a huge pussy. Definitely not cut out for leadership.
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u/Porunga 3h ago
Nate Silver’s model gives Harris a 97.5% chance to win his election. If he does, it’ll be his 9th term in congress.
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u/algaefied_creek 9h ago
Think his voters will still vote for him?
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u/privateidaho_chicago 9h ago
Of course they will… what kind of pedophile do you think he is? Republicans are made of stern stuff and will not change their vote just because the person they’re voting for is a wanker.
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u/zephyrtr New York 8h ago
Yep. Republican voters are like rabid sports fans who never watch their team actually play. Most will simply never see this exchange. Those that do will assume Harris is right
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u/algaefied_creek 8h ago
Ah it’s about domination and subordination, failure without redemption, and total obliteration and annihilation of any form of decency and compromise?
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u/kootles10 Indiana 9h ago
Did maryland's redistricting go through?
Edit: his seat may be redistricted in 2028 if question 3 passes in Maryland in November
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u/stillavoidingthejvm Maryland 8h ago
I was planning on voting against the redistricting, but this is threatening to change my mind.
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u/irishchug 7h ago
I’m against gerrymandering generally but i voted yes because the R’s don’t care about anything but power and cheat in every way possible so we need to stop taking the high road and start playing to really win.
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u/SplashBros4Prez 7h ago
It's the unfortunate reality until we can pass real legislation banning gerrymandering...
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u/bdepz 6h ago
Why would you vote to cut your hands off in the middle of a UFC fight
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u/showhorrorshow 4h ago
Like taking a knife to a gun fight, but instead of a knife it's high minded principles.
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u/algaefied_creek 9h ago
Hell if I know.
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u/kootles10 Indiana 9h ago
I looked it up. Blocked by the courts, question 3 will determine if it happens. Polling is not very good for it to pass.
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u/RyoCore I voted 9h ago
Yes. Harris is in the "I see R, I vote R" district in Maryland.
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u/RebelAlliance1701 5h ago
I live in his district. Hell, I can walk to his office in Bel Air. It's exactly this. Harford County is mostly white NIMBYs who are opposed to any kind of progress or change. Every new building project gets protested, they bitch about taxes while driving on pristine roads and having more park acreage than the footprint of the city of Pittsburgh. MD-1 is a conservative stronghold and Andy's district is his little fiefdom. Maryland is so gerrymandered that MD-1 is the district that he's allowed to have.
The Sheriff in a fascist but he is a hero to Harford County, too.
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u/-Rivendare 8h ago
I live in his district.
Yes. The voters here will still vote for him.
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u/dtwhitecp 4h ago
people laughed loudly at him saying something ridiculous and he claimed it was a violation of free speech. Feels like he wanted that, and playing into the whole idea fits his base. When people use "politicians" as a negative term - it's shit like that.
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u/IT_Chef Virginia 8h ago
Just watched it, he is making a total ass of himself...he went full Karen mode
What a douchebag lol
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u/aramis34143 8h ago
I particularly liked the part where, after being told that she (and only she) wasn't allowed to record him, she immediately asked someone else to please hold her phone. Excellent.
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u/-wnr- 9h ago
Depends on how deplorable his district is. MAGA voters do not care.
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u/redpoemage I voted 9h ago
His district is the one that Maryland gerrymandered the most Republicans into to make the other districts blue. It’s possible, but very tough. If Andy Harris is losing his seat, it’s a truly monumental blue wave.
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u/cogman10 Idaho 7h ago
The generic ballot is predicting dems winning R+8 seats. His was an R+7.
Everyone should go vote even if you are in red states and locations. This is the sort of election where even my state of Idaho has what's looking like a competitive senate race (really nuts). It's exactly the sort of election where what was once deep red could flip blue.
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u/ConcentrateDirect523 7h ago
Find a way to drive to fuel prices in your area even more, and it'll be a done deal.
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u/GamingTatertot Virginia 9h ago
Well his district may be redrawn soon
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u/kootles10 Indiana 9h ago
I dunno even Democrats in Maryland aren't a fan of the wording of the question
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u/Anywhere-Due 7h ago
This guy tried to bring a gun into congress and still got reelected the year after. Only way he’s not getting re-elected is if Maryland gets rid of his district, which is on the ballot
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u/MedicMalfunction 9h ago
Speaking as a Marylander in his district, he will get re-elected. The Eastern Shore is pure MAGA. Unless they all stay home, he will walk right back into the House.
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u/RebelAlliance1701 5h ago
I live here, too. His district is the Eastern Shore (Italian/Philly racists) and Harford County (white/Maryland flag mailbox racists).
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u/sumoraiden 9h ago
Republicans will still elect him
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u/KC_Que 9h ago
Worse, they will elect him because of things like this.
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u/oliversurpless Massachusetts 8h ago
Pathology from people who don’t know what pathology is.
Medically or otherwise…
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u/LimpyDan 9h ago
He will still get elected. Dumbass can say whatever he wants. Seems to be a trend.
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u/Jester1525 6h ago
And yet, he's still leading I the polls...
Idiots rooting for their sports team..
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u/imtoowhiteandnerdy 5h ago
The timing is perfect too since he's up for re-election in the midterms.
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u/tinyE1138 America 9h ago
Wait wait wait, it was at a news conference!?
You gotta be fucking kidding me!
I can see if you sneak up to him in a restroom with a tape recorder, but it's a fucking press conference! The whole point of them is to be recorded!
This isn't happening man! I'm gonna wake up and this is all gonna have just been some fucking nightmare!
And remember, during the interview you're not allowed to ask me any questions!
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u/underwear11 9h ago
I remember being in school, learning about 1930s Germany and thinking "How could this ever happen? It would never happen now." But here we are. Politicians threatening journalists for doing their job.
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u/Valturia 9h ago
This is also the snowflake that cried when someone laughed at him blaming Democrats for high gas. They can dish but they can't take.
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u/CheezyGoodness55 9h ago
Same day/press conference, too. Andy had a Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day (of his own making).
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u/Mikethebest78 9h ago
How dare the liberal media follow me and report what I actually said!!!
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u/CeeDubMo 9h ago
This guy is an asshat who shouldn’t be anywhere near power
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u/RebelAlliance1701 5h ago
I live in his district. He's been in Congress since 1999 and hasn't done shit. No major legislation, he's just the token GOP representative since Maryland is so gerrymandered to hell and back and they have to put the Republicans somewhere.
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u/chiefgreenleaf 9h ago
This happened like not even hours after complaining that people booing him was a violation of his first amendment rights
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u/AverageBrilliant4670 9h ago
In a public debate forum, he also whined about audience members objecting to him lying to them about the reason for the sudden and recent massive spike in diesel fuel prices, by saying they were acting against US Constitution's 1st Amendment. He doesn't understand that right applies to freedom of the people's speech as protected from government action against it, not applying to people speaking out against others, particularly not government officials, and especially not elected representatives. He also claimed he knew more about the law than people challenging or disagreeing with him. He'll almost certainly be rejected. US politics is a bad joke.
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u/Feisty-Driver-1263 9h ago
This the same guy who said laughing at him violated his first amendment rights? 🤣
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u/Crafty_Ish1973 Texas 9h ago
His crashout when people laughed at him was so embarrassing. This one was just an added bonus of failure.
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u/Looney_Bin 6h ago
I'm shocked he even did the debate. He refuses to hold an in person townhall in Harford county on the western shore side of the bay. Which is still very republican and his district. I can only imagine if he crashed out in Cambridge what would happen across the bridge. He's a coward.
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u/radioref 9h ago
Busting the “you can’t record me because I didn’t give you permission” in a fucking news conference is peak energy.
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u/HistoryNerd101 7h ago
They are all so junior varsity…
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u/kootles10 Indiana 7h ago
No Republican has ever had the makings of a Varisty athlete
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u/prntmakr 6h ago
Republicans have lots of faults. But I'm gonna give credit where it's due. Gerald Ford was an accomplished college football player.
https://mgoblue.com/honors/university-of-michigan-hall-of-honor/gerald-ford/3
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u/ImpressiveLeopard719 8h ago
When pushed back He asked "Are you and attorney?" response "No, Are you?" him " I am a LEGISLATOR!" My answer will always be going forward when any answer that I give is questioned "I AM A LEGISLATOR!"
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u/WeaponexT 8h ago
We need to outlaw the republican Maga bullshit, and any attempts at rebranding it, once and for all.
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u/_Fun_Employed_ 8h ago
He’s such a tool, I wrote a letter to him early in Trump’s second term urging him to continue supporting Ukraine and to not let Trump cut aid, and he replied something to the extent of Trump knows best and Ukraine should just end the war (which I read as capitulate to Russia). Saddest part of it is he said he had Ukrainian ancestory and was like it’s what they would do/want.
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u/Shido_Ohtori 9h ago
Shining example of a Republican being ignorant of the First Amendment, as such guarantees
- that the state respect the people's right to free speech without censorship or retaliation, not the people respecting a lawmaker's right to lie to their faces.
- freedom of the press.
Conservatism -- by definition -- is "a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing the importance of established hierarchies and institutions (such as religion, the family, and class structure), and preferring gradual development to abrupt change".
The sole value of conservatism is respect for and obedience to [one's perception of] traditionally established hierarchy, and hierarchy dictates that those on top (in-groups) are rightfully idolized and receive privileges, credibility, and resources, while those on the bottom (out-groups) are demonized/dehumanized and/or bound by restrictions, scrutiny, and lack of resources.
To them, the second-greatest injustice imaginable is for those [they perceive to be] on top [of social hierarchy] to be bound by the restrictions, scrutiny, and lack of resources reserved for those on the bottom. The first greatest injustice is for those on the bottom to have access to the rights, credibility, and resources reserved for those on top.
Conservatives absolutely need an underclass [for society] to demonize and dehumanize in order to maintain [their] hierarchy, and every single one of their policies and rhetoric work to do exactly that. Unless the accusation is one of disrespecting hierarchy, every right-wing accusation is a confession -- every. single. one; always! -- as it is never the act itself that upsets them, but rather, the social standing of the person doing the act, as said act is a privilege meant for those on top of [their perceived] hierarchy (See also: pedophilia - Trump and the Catholic church versus LGBTQ+ and drag queens; protests - January 6th vs. BLM and No Kings; parental rights - anti-LGBTQ+ vs pro-LGBTQ+; indoctrination - religion vs. education).
Those who believe all people are people see hypocrisy, while those who believe some people are "more/less" people than others see hierarchy. Hypocrisy implies a sense of equality/parity, as the accusation of such is that someone is violating a universal or common standard. Hierarchy directly states that there is no equality/parity, that different social strata have different standards, that the only universal standard concerning hierarchy is that those on top are allowed privileges which are denied to those on the bottom, and that the bottom are held to standards which the top are exempt from.
"Know your place" is their mantra.
Addendum: The very founder of modern Western conservatism insist[ed] with brutal frankness that “illusions” and “prejudices” are socially necessary, today's conservatives have coined the term "alternative facts", and studies show that [search for] truth and intelligence is inversely correlated with conservative ideology.
- Belief in Fake News is Associated with Delusionality, Dogmatism, Religious Fundamentalism, and Reduced Analytic Thinking
- Religion and Fake News: Faith-Based Alternative Information Ecosystems in the US and Europe (full article)
- Intelligence is correlated with a range of left-wing and liberal political beliefs. (full article)
- Results confirm that conservatives have lower sensitivity than liberals, performing worse at distinguishing truths and falsehoods
- Conservatives are less truth-discerning than liberals, but also less affected by the congruence of news.
- Across five operationalizations of impaired deliberative thought, hierarchy endorsement increased and egalitarianism receded.
- Conservatism and cognitive ability are negatively correlated.
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u/JokesNShit 9h ago
Doubt he is ignorant. He probably has dirt being dangled over him. I see the pattern here, they played it fast and loose and now they have to be fascist idiots. Yeah he sucks, just pointing out that the lock step bullshit they do of thinking we are servants is so obvious.
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u/Shido_Ohtori 9h ago
He knows those who would vote for his bullshit are that ignorant.
The issue is that most people subscribe to hierarchical institutions [on some level] already -- such as classism, ageism, genderism, religion, machismo culture, corporate culture, military, school, et cetera -- and until they are willing and able to challenge the concepts of hierarchy and consider how such are not only incompatible with -- but diametrically-opposed and anathema to -- the concepts of equality and egalitarianism, they will fall victim into demonizing and dehumanizing an "out-group" at the behest of those they consider socially superior. Each and every single one of them truly believe that by doing so, they secure their place among the in-group, never realizing security is a privilege far above their station.
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u/mrbeck1 8h ago
Is this the guy that god mad when the woman had the nerve to laugh at him?
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u/SuperExoticShrub Georgia 7h ago
Same guy. This press conference was immediately after that debate forum.
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u/Outside_Manner_8352 7h ago
Having lived here on the Shore for decades now, I think this is a gross mischaracterization of Andy Harris as "crashing out." He has always been a complete and utter jackass, this is nothing new. And when he says "You know why I know the law? Because I'm a legislator," yes his career as a legislator also reflects his complete lack of understanding or care whatsoever about laws.
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u/Floreat_democratia 5h ago
New rule: any politician who tells a lie about the law needs to immediately step down and go back to law school.
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u/sammystevens 4h ago
"Man sworn to uphold and defend constitution doesn't understand it. more at 11"
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u/kinkgirlwriter America 5h ago
Is this the Democrats caused higher diesel guy?
Sorry, my dude, but that's laughable.
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u/KnightDuty 5h ago
I would just like to remind everybody that every single Republican acting this way is acting this way because of J6. This is PTSD response. People were screaming that they would murder Mike Pence for "turning on" Donald Trump and broke into the capital.
Then all of them were pardoned.
Now, reporters are confronting them with evidence of them "turning on" Donald Trump. This is what it looks like when somebody think you're putting them at risk. They don't care if they make sense, the mob is at their back
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u/WTFudge52 3h ago
Not at an event like a news conference, you arrogant twat waffle. You were literally holding a press conference, you didn't like her questioning your BS.
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u/Light_Hearted_Man 9h ago
This is just beautiful. I just can’t stop watching this guy and his paper thin skin. Notice how tight his voice gets? His stomping off like a child who was denied his dessert. And how about those two dweebs walking out with him? Cut from the finest cloth.
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u/Only4DNDandCigars 9h ago
The thing that most surprises me about this is the age, race, presenting gender of this individual
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u/givin_u_the_high_hat 8h ago
The GOP always forgets about the freedom of the press part of the 1st amendment.
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u/Educational_Play5772 7h ago
OMG. This is so disturbing. The level of incompetence and insecurity in elected officials is staggering.
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u/the_real_shavedllama 7h ago
This was a deliberate temper tantrum and blame shifting to the journalist so that he could avoid answering substantive questions. Chances are, he would not handle a male journalist in the same way. And after throwing his tantrum, he ran away.
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u/Curious-Plankton-968 7h ago
Just once I want a reporter to call one of them a fucking idiot to their face.
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u/octowussy 7h ago
Republicans will still vote for him because they're all dumb as rocks, but at least I can enjoy watching him melt down.
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u/brochaos 6h ago
how are these fucks this stupid? he should be arrested for crying like a bitch for the cops. trying to ruin someone's life because he's a total fucking idiot. unreal. there needs to be consequences.
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u/OnlineTravesty 4h ago
He doesn't know the 1st amendment and expects to be trusted with legislation...
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u/AutomateAway 3h ago
lmao every time i think ive heard a maga say the dumbest thing imaginable, they still manage to surprise me from time to time.
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u/BluntsAndJudgeJudy 4h ago
What’s crazy (and sad honestly) is that there are hours of content on TikTok/insta of police all over the country believing this exact same lie. As well as not understanding the 4th amendment or 1st amendment at all.
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u/Redd1tProtectsP3dos 7h ago
So, journalists are capable of correctly pointing out when someone is lying, but they don't. Why?
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u/Pherllerp New Jersey 6h ago
I had never heard of him before today and boy he did not come off good.
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u/whereismymind86 Colorado 6h ago
It’s such a silly thing to claim, any competent journalist is going to know the laws regarding recording. He wasn’t ever going to fool them
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u/theydontcare_ 6h ago
Bless their hearts they’re trying to manifest the fascist hellscape of their dreams.
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u/prntmakr 6h ago
I kind of wonder how well the average elected Representative or Senator would do in my fictional game show, "Is It Illegal?"
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u/Hi_Im_Ken_Adams 4h ago
I wonder how these idiots think paparazzi can exist if you could simply tell people to stop recording you when you are in a public space.
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u/ijustneedaccess 4h ago
Just a guess here, but he got hard-ons watching people get beaten and thrown out of Trump rallies and town hall meetings by police. He thought he'd get the same done for him and you could just see his salvation when he gave the "order". I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't watch the Sadam Hussein film of him sending opponents to be tortured and killed outside the theater with glee. That's fascism for you.
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