Dem rep says Trump critics might resort to ‘Second Amendment’

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) appeared to suggest that President Trump’s critics should resort to their right to bear arms if the president does not adhere to the Constitution. 

“It’s really a matter of putting public pressure on the president,” Suozzi said in a recently released video of a March 12 town hall event. “This is where the Second Amendment comes in, quite frankly, because you know, what if the president was to ignore the courts? What would you do? What would we do?”

An attendee then asked Suozzi to explain the Second Amendment. 

“The Second Amendment is the right to bear arms,” the congressman responded. 

{mosads}The National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) was quick to lash out at Suozzi following the comments, calling them disturbing. 

“This video is incredibly disturbing. It’s surreal to watch a sitting member of Congress suggest that his constituents should take up arms against the president of the United States,” NRCC spokesman Chris Martin said in a statement. 

Suozzi’s political adviser said the congressman was not “advocating for an armed insurrection.”

“Taking a page from such great Americans as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton, Congressman Suozzi explained why our founding fathers created the Second Amendment as a way for citizens to fight back against a tyrannical government that does not follow the rule of law,” Kim Devlin told Fox News. “To suggest his comments meant anything else or that he was advocating for an armed insurrection against the existing president is both irresponsible and ridiculous.”

Critics have said Suozzi’s comments seem to contradict his recent stances advocating for more gun control in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., last month.  

I think we should engage the high school students of #NY03, and all of Long Island, to promote gun violence prevention legislation. They could help inspire the nation. What do you think?

— Tom Suozzi (@RepTomSuozzi) February 21, 2018

Suozzi’s comments about the Second Amendment mirror comments made by Trump about former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016. 

“Hillary wants to abolish, essentially abolish the Second Amendment,” Trump said during a campaign rally. 

“By the way, if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do folks,” he then added.

“Though the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know.”

The Trump campaign released a statement after the rally, claiming that Trump was referencing how the National Rifle Association and other backers of the Second Amendment had the political power to stop Clinton at the polls.