Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) stirred up quite a response after his post marking the anniversary of the Jan. 6 riots, where he took a moment to thank law enforcement for their bravery in protecting lawmakers.
In a tweet shared on Monday, Fitzpatrick acknowledged the fourth anniversary of that fateful day.
“On the fourth anniversary of January 6th, we pause to honor the remarkable courage and sacrifice of the United States Capitol Police and all who defended our Capitol that day,” he wrote. “Their courage in the face of danger upheld the ideals of our nation and reminded us of the profound cost of defending freedom.”
He continued, “We owe these brave men and women, as well as all our nation’s law enforcement officers, a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay. But we can honor their service and sacrifice by reaffirming our commitment to upholding and protecting the democracy they so valiantly defended.”
While some of Fitzpatrick’s followers appreciated his tribute, others weren’t as thrilled.
Rick Denu, a staunch MAGA supporter, responded with a bold gesture (a middle finger emoji), while another user, David Mortimer, called the congressman a “RINO” (Republican in name only). “Sir, I think it’s time for you to find another line of work,” he added.
One comment summed up the frustration: “This is a really stupid post. Signed, one of your constituents.”
Some voices echoed the sentiment that Fitzpatrick should simply “move on” from the events of January 6, even questioning why he hadn’t shown similar support for law enforcement during the BLM protests or even during President Biden’s inauguration.
At least one left-leaning commenter pointed out that Fitzpatrick had declined to vote for Trump’s impeachment after the Capitol riot, adding fuel to the fire of criticism. “You say this now, but didn’t step up to make sure an election denier was impeached. So weak,” the comment read, calling into question Fitzpatrick’s commitment to democracy.
It’s clear that Fitzpatrick’s words hit a nerve, sparking a wide array of reactions. Whether you agree or disagree, it’s a reminder that certain topics will always stir up strong emotions on both sides of the aisle.
