QAnon supporter Marjorie Greene who called school shootings 'staged' joins education panel, Internet outraged
Ever since it was revealed that the Republican Party had chosen a new Congresswoman for a spot on the House's Education and Labor Committee, the Internet has erupted. Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is notorious for being a conspiracy theorist, refuting school shootings and making controversial claims. But after Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and other top GOP members rewarded her with a role in overseeing the education policy, there is no stopping criticism.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi was among the first to say on Thursday, January 28, 2021, "What could they [Republican leader] be thinking? It's absolutely appalling". The chairman of the House education committee, Bobby Scott, also expressed concerns over the selection of a woman who has time and again backed conspiracy theories about school shootings.
Scott wants Republican leaders to reverse course and revoke the decision to put Marjorie Taylor Greene on the House Education and Labor Committee. “House Republicans have appointed someone to this Committee who claimed that the killing of 14 students and three teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was staged,” Scott said in a statement. Scott added that by putting Greene on the committee, House GOP leaders were sending “a clear message to students, parents, and educators about the views of the Republican Party.”
Representative Jahana Hayes wrote a letter to the House Education and Labor Committee on Thursday, January 28 asking that Greene not be seated on it. "Giving Representative Greene the platform to spread dangerous dogma only rewards and normalizes his abhorrent behavior, places already vulnerable groups in danger and further traumatizes survivors," Hayes wrote.
Greene has previously suggested that the Sandy Hook, Parkland and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shootings were all staged events meant to increase firearm regulations. Not only has Greene denied school shootings but has, over her past social media posts, reportedly called for violence against Democratic politicians including supporting the execution of prominent Democratic politicians in 2018 and 2019. At the same time, she is infamous for promoting extremist conspiracy theories such as Pizzagate, QAnon, 9/11 conspiracy theories and the Clinton Kill List.
David Hogg, a gun control activist and student who survived the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, called Greene's assignment as "absolutely horrific". Twitter too is aghast. "Marjorie Taylor Greene sits on the Education Committee?! @GOP how much deeper can you all dig yourselves into a hole? For the love of God and our country, get her out! #America is tired of the chaos! Just stop and finally do what is right!" one angry user tweeted along with a video of Greene on one of her rants. "So they put Marjorie Taylor Greene on the house EDUCATION COMMITTEE!? I swear, at this point the GOP just be trolling...." another tweeted.
Marjorie Taylor Greene sits on the Education Committee?! @GOP how much deeper can you all dig yourselves into a hole? For the love of God and our country, get her out! #America is tired of the chaos! Just stop and finally do what is right! 😡 https://t.co/f8tWNZPYOP
— Thalia Badillo (@badillo_thalia) January 29, 2021
So they put Marjorie Taylor Greene on the house EDUCATION COMMITTEE!? I swear, at this point the GOP just be trolling....
— Elliott J Lawrence (@BigPopTLC) January 29, 2021
Greene's list of inadequacies is long and Twitter has no qualms in listing each one of them. "SO OF COURSE, SEAT HER ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE. REALLY?????? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?!?!?!? Marjorie Taylor Greene penned conspiracy theory that a laser beam from space started deadly 2018 California wildfire," one tweeted. "It's a RADICAL Republican party now. According to Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Jewish space laser causes forest fires & Parkland survivor David Hogg is a 'false flag'. McCarthy just assigned her to the house education committe. God help our children!" another wrote. "So, you put this psychopath on the education committee? Do you think this woman is capable of working for special needs children?" another pointedly asked.
SO OF COURSE, SEAT HER ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE. REALLY?????? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?!?!?!?
— Kely Lyons (@KelyLyons) January 29, 2021
Marjorie Taylor Greene penned conspiracy theory that a laser beam from space started deadly 2018 California wildfire https://t.co/eGnuURI2gS
It's a RADICAL Republican party now. According to Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Jewish space laser causes forest fires & Parkland survivor David Hogg is a 'false flag'. McCarthy just assigned her to the house education committe. God help our children! https://t.co/J5LpSgOcsa
— Jill the Pill! (@JillPinoak) January 29, 2021
So, you put this psychopath on the education committee? Do you think this woman is capable of working for special needs children?
— The Wildflower Seed 🌷🌾🌼 (@WildFlowerSeed_) January 29, 2021
"Marjorie Taylor Greene throws slurs against those with disabilities." https://t.co/wm4X5LQuBl
Amidst all this, a spokesman for the Georgia Congressman did not directly address her past comments on social media about school shootings, and instead focused on Greene’s support for school choice and reopening schools, among other policies.