Who is Chip Roy? 'Bigot' GOP Rep rants about China in anti-Asian violence hearing, slammed for hailing lynchings
In the past, Texas Republican Representative Chip Roy has never shied away from vocalizing his anti-China sentiments. 'Stop Communist China' has always been one of his political agendas, something on which he collaborated with former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. From promoting anti-China t-shirts to going on a tirade about the Chinese government at the hearing on anti-Asian violence on March 18 - Chip Roy's feelings about China have not changed for the better.
Criticizing Roy's anti-China complaints at Thursday's hearing, New York Democratic Representative Grace Meng pointed out the racial connotations in his speech. "Your president (Donald Trump) and your party and your colleagues can talk about issues with any other country that you want, but you don't have to do it by putting a bullseye on the back of Asian-Americans across this country, on our grandparents, on our kids," Meng said responding to Roy, reports Business Insider.
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Who is Chip Roy?
Charles Eugene Roy aka Chip Roy is a 48-year-old Republican Representative from the 21st congressional district of Texas. The former attorney and father of two assumed office in 2019, succeeding Lamar Smith.
Born in Maryland in 1972 and raised in Virginia, Roy attended the University of Virginia for pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree. He later also completed a Master of Science degree in information systems. Eventually, Roy graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law in 2003.
Before joining mainstream politics, Roy worked in close quarters with former Texas Governor Rick Perry. In 2012, he became Senator Ted Cruz's chief of staff and helped him orchestrate the shutdown of the government in 2013 over the Affordable Care Act issue.
Roy, a staunch Trump supporter, won the US House of Representatives elections in 2018. Later, he defeated Democratic nominee Wendy Davis in 2020 in the reelection.
In personal life, Roy is married to Carrah and share two children with her. In 2011, he was diagnosed with the rare disease of Hodgkin's lymphoma.
What did Chip Roy say at the anti-Asian violence hearing?
Reiterating the well-known Republican rhetoric of blaming China for the Covid-19 virus and other global issues, Roy openly voiced his opposition to the Chinese Communist Party. "And when we say things like that and we're talking about that, we shouldn't be worried about having a committee of members of Congress policing our rhetoric because some evil-doers go engage in some evil activity, as occurred in Atlanta, Georgia," he remarked.
The rant against the Chinese government was however not the only problematic part of Roy's speech. He started his speech condemning yesterday's mass shooting in Atlanta where 21-year-old Robert Aaron Long killed eight individuals, including six Asian women. However, soon he ended up extolling the practice of lynchings and criticized the very nature of the hearing.
"There’s an old saying in Texas about ‘find all the rope in Texas and get a tall oak tree.’ You know, we take justice very seriously. And we ought to do that. Round up the bad guys. That’s what we believe," Roy said, to the shock and dismay of many of his political peers. As a matter of fact, history shows that the public lynchings Roy bragged about mostly targeted people of color, explains Daily Beast.
Prior to that, the conservative politician also attempted to question the very need for the hearing with whataboutery logic. “I would also suggest that the victims of cartels moving illegal aliens deserve justice. The American citizens in south Texas, they are getting absolutely decimated by what’s happening at the southern border deserve justice. The victims of rioting and looting in the street... last summer deserve justice. We believe in justice," he said.
He then explicitly voiced his concerns about the hearing being centered around policing and rhetoric, rather than "taking out bad guys."
"This means nothing when you agree to work with bigots like Chip Roy who amplifies the big lie and constantly uses racist and violent rhetoric. It’s gross that you or anyone would legitimize that gerrymandered carpet bagger," tweeted a disgruntled user about Chip Roy. Another pointed out, "Racist Chip Roy is also one of those idiots who wears a mask with his nose exposed. Somehow, I don't find this the least bit surprising."
Another accused, "chip roy racist @GOP has always been awful but Trump put the batteries in their back to be more openly awful."
This means nothing when you agree to work with bigots like Chip Roy who amplifies the big lie and constantly uses racist and violent rhetoric. It’s gross that you or anyone would legitimize that gerrymandered carpet bagger.
— David Higgins 🏳️🌈 (@dhiggsboson) March 9, 2021
Racist Chip Roy is also one of those idiots who wears a mask with his nose exposed. Somehow, I don't find this the least bit surprising.
— An Actual Patriot (@hitmeister1) March 18, 2021
chip roy racist @GOP has always been awful but Trump put the batteries in their back to be more openly awful
— Deborah Lee (@deborahlee481) March 18, 2021
Condemning Chip Roy's problematic speech, Democrat Rep. Meng said on an emotional note, "This hearing was to address the hurt and pain of our community and to find solutions, and we will not let you take our voice away from us."