Rep Jim McGovern's remarks on Trump 'sex scandal' trial ruled 'out of order', netizens call it 'shameful'

WASHINGTON, DC: Representative Jim McGovern presented the criminal accusations against former president Donald Trump on Wednesday, May 22, which caused more than an hour-long interruption to proceedings on the House floor, NBC News reported.

During a floor debate, McGovern suggested that House Republicans had forbidden an open discussion of Trump's trials. He said, "We have a presumptive nominee for president facing 88 felony counts, and we’re being prevented from even acknowledging it."

Democrat McGovern ruled 'out of order' for remarks about Trump ‘sex scandal’ case

Rep McGovern added, "A candidate for president of the United States is on trial for sending a hush money payment to a porn star to avoid a sex scandal during his 2016 campaign and then fraudulently disguising those payments in violation of the law."

Notably, Republicans in the House swiftly retaliated to McGovern's remarks, and the back-and-forth caused a protracted pause as House staff members decided how to move on. Eventually, his comments were deemed to be out of order.

The crisis arose when McGovern, a top Democrat on the Rules Committee, referred to the congressional Republicans who had attended Trump's New York hush money trial.

He speculated, "Maybe they are trying to draw attention away from the fact that their presidential candidate has been charged more frequently than he has won an election."

Moreover, the chairperson for the discussion, Rep Jerry Carl (R-Ala) urged McGovern to "refrain from engaging in personalities" with the front-runners for president. McGovern shot back, asking whether it was "unparliamentary to state a fact".

Furthermore, he questioned why, last week, a Republican member on the House floor could refer to the Trump trial as a "sham" without receiving the same censure from the chair. 

Notably, Rep Chip Roy (R-Texas) made repeated references to the "sham trial against the former president in New York" during a floor statement on May 15. He said that the prosecution "relies on an unreliable witness being presided over by a biased judge".

Carl said he wouldn't comment, but McGovern began reviewing Trump's legal situation. He said, "He's also charged with conspiring to overturn the election. He’s also charged with stealing classified information, and a jury has already found him liable for rape and in a civil court. And yet, in this Republican-controlled House, it’s OK to talk about the trial, but you have to call it a 'sham.'"

Rep Erin Houchin then interrupted, requesting that McGovern's "words be taken down". Carl concluded that McGovern's "offensive words" were out of order after more than an hour of staff members gathering on the floor, citing previous decisions by House speakers.

Internet divided as McGovern remarks about Trump trial ruled 'out of order'

People on the internet had mixed reactions as Jim McGovern presented the criminal accusations against Donald Trump which caused more than an hour-long interruption to proceedings on the House floor.

A social media user posted on X, "How many times have they accused President Biden on the House floor? This is shameful!!!" while another added, "You are allowed to attack the physical appearance of another person but you are not allowed to state basic facts on the House floor."

One person said, "@RepMcGovern I have so much love and respect for you! Keep smashing!" while another mentioned, "Can't wait for them to lose the majority."

One individual wrote, "Joe Biden and Democrats are the ones behind having Donald Trump, targeted, prosecuted and punished! We are at a dangerous time in US history. If they are willing to do this to a political opponent to interfere in an election. What do you think these maniacs would do to you?"

Another stated, "You lied. You expect to get away with that? I suppose they didn’t keep score in your T-ball games right?"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.