During a congressional hearing on May 12, 2021, U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., says Ashli Babbitt, a pro-Trump rioter, was “executed” by a police officer during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol./Photo: House Oversight Committee
By Ronald J. Hansen | Arizona Republic
Democrats in the House of Representatives are seeking support for a move to censure three of their Republican colleagues, including Rep. Paul Gosar, over recent comments recasting the pro-Trump mob attack on the U.S. Capitol as largely peaceful.
During a hearing of the House Oversight Committee last week, Gosar, R-Ariz., said Ashli Babbitt, the California woman shot to death Jan. 6 by Capitol police as she climbed through a broken window in a door, was “executed.”
At the same hearing, Gosar also accused the Justice Department of “harassing peaceful patriots across the country” as it investigates the riot.
It was unclear Saturday how far along the censure resolution by Rep. David Ciccilline, D-R.I., was, and most of Arizona’s five House Democrats could not be reached for their views on the matter. The chief of staff for Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., said they had not yet discussed it.
A censure would not affect Gosar’s ability to remain and participate in the House, but would serve as a rare rebuke for the history books. The House has only censured members 23 times.
