Dem Rep Jimmy Gomez blasts GOP over viral sombrero meme, warns ‘it’s bare-knuckles in this fight’

WASHINGTON, DC: During a press event hosted by the Congressional Dads Caucus on Thursday, October 9, Democratic California Rep Jimmy Gomez made controversial comments.

He talked about physically attacking Republicans for sharing viral memes mocking Democratic lawmakers. 

Gomez didn’t hold back, saying he would “kick Republicans in the face” for posting AI-generated content on social media.

His comments came after an AI-generated image of Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries went viral, which was shared by President Donald Trump.

James Gomez condemns GOP for sharing AI meme of Hakeem Jeffries

Jimmy Gomez expressed outrage after a viral meme. The AI-generated image showed Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wearing a sombrero and a handlebar moustache.

During the Congressional Dads Caucus press event, he couldn't hold his rage and said he would “kick Republicans in the face” for sharing the content, making clear that he found the meme demeaning and unacceptable.

During the conference, Gomez was asked if he should tone down his comments. He refused and blamed Trump after he shared a video of Hakeem Jeffries.

“On the attacks regarding the sombreros, I think that those are just completely racist and uncalled for. But every time he does it, I’m going to release a movie poster with him and Jeffrey Epstein,” Gomez told reporters during the event. “They fight fire with fire. We’re going to fight fire with fire as well. If they go low, we’re going to kick them in the face.”

“We don’t play by the old rules of ‘they go low, we go high," Gomez continued. “That kind of era is way over. So it’s bare-knuckles in this fight.”

Gomez told reporters that he stood by his remarks when asked by a reporter who noted that some individuals could take his threat of physical violence literally. “Donald Trump only responds to one thing: strength,” Gomez immediately replied. “The Republicans only respond to one thing: strength.”

He went on to explain the political context behind his comments, emphasizing the importance of assertiveness in the current climate. “We’re in a different era and if we Democrats act like we’re not dealing with an opposition that will do anything to get their way, then we’re going to be in the perpetual minority,” Gomez continued. “So, my district, they want me to fight back.”

A spokesperson for Gomez’s office said his statement was meant metaphorically and was not meant to be serious.

But why are Gomez's words under scrutiny? His metaphorical threat against GOP lawmakers is receiving attention because of a recent example involving another Democrat, Jay Jones, a candidate for Virginia Attorney General, who made very violent and extreme statements against political opponents, including fantasizing about killing a Republican colleague and wishing death on the lawmaker’s children.

Mike Johnson criticizes Democrats for overreacting to sombrero memes

House Speaker Mike Johnson told Daily Caller that Democrats’ strong reaction to the sombrero memes shows they can’t take a joke. Johnson said, “By focusing on a sombrero meme while the government is shut down and people are losing healthcare and essential services, he makes himself look unserious"

"This isn’t about Republicans, it’s a problem they’re creating for themselves," he said.