'The Tucker Carlson effect': Rep. Swalwell exposes disturbing 'threats' he got after the Fox host's attacks
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) recently shed light on the damaging effects of Fox News host Tucker Carlson's rhetoric. On Thursday, October 21, the Democratic lawmaker took to Twitter with an audio clip of a Trump supporter attacking him for his remarks praising the U.S. Capitol Police officer who killed Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt.
With the disturbing audio clip, Swalwell discussed what he describes as "the Tucker Carlson effect. "Listen to this. It's the Tucker Carlson effect," Swalwell explained. "Tucker attacks me. His fans respond with threats to kill my family. And Tucker knows exactly what he's doing."
The unnamed man leveled a disturbing verbal attack toward the California lawmaker in a lethal, racist rant. "Here's some intelligence motherfucker. They just showed you on Fox News on Tucker Carlson saying Babbitt, that unarmed veteran, that white woman that was shot by a cop... You said he was a brave officer shooting a serious threat. He was a coward bitch who shot an unarmed white woman. If she would have been some black nigger crackhead, you guys have had that cop's head on a stick."
"You people are a disgrace to God, our country, and our people. You are the enemies of the United States people, motherfucker. You atheist, Communist faggots are the threat to our democracy, our Constitution, and our way of life," he said.
Listen to this. It\u2019s the Tucker Carlson effect. Tucker attacks me. His fans respond with threats to kill my family. And Tucker knows exactly what he\u2019s doing.pic.twitter.com/PsSLYbctXa— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@Rep. Eric Swalwell) 1634863289
The irate man went on and seemed to level a threat toward Swalwell and his family as he concluded with praises to former President Donald Trump. He added, "As for these foreign invaders you're lettin' into this country, I hope they chop you, your family up and feed them to their dogs. You did you fucking bitch. There's your free speech for today, asshole, from Trump Nation!"
Almost immediately after Swalwell shared the audio clip, Twitter users quickly sounded off. With a link to a similar case, former federal prosecutor Chris Alberto quickly noted that these types of verbal threats are considered a violation of federal law.
"These threats against Mr. Swalwell & his family violates federal law," Alberto wrote. "The [FBI] should visit this guy ASAP. While expressing disagreement and nonviolent dissent are protected speech, threats of violence fall into the scope of federal criminal statutes."
These threats against Mr. Swalwell & his family violates federal law. \n\nThe @FBI should visit this guy ASAP. \n\nWhile expressing disagreement and nonviolent dissent are protected speech, threats of violence fall into the scope of federal criminal statutes.https://www.heralddemocrat.com/story/news/2021/09/30/threatening-us-congressman-lands-man-federal-prison/5932498001/\u00a0\u2026— Christopher, Esq. (@Christopher, Esq.) 1634864781
Others also weighed in with their concerns.
That sounds like a threat to me. There needs to be aggressive prosecution of people who make threats against Congressmen and Congresswomen, or there's no deterrent, and this will continue.— Sean Prophet (@Sean Prophet) 1634864356
It\u2019s like clockwork. Well familiar with how this goes. Yup. They all know exactly what they\u2019re doing\u2014especially Tucker Carlson. He\u2019s radicalizing Americans & endangering lives but he doesn\u2019t care. None of them do.— Olivia of Troye (@Olivia of Troye) 1634907573
Never make the mistake of thinking that right-wing terrorism is an unintentional side effect of GOP rhetoric.\n\nIt is the goal.— awwHALEnaww (@awwHALEnaww) 1634877534
I'm so sorry. You and your family do not deserve this. Thank you for all your dedication and devotion to truth, justice and good governance. I hope there's the will for serious action to stop this kind of attack and abuse.— Jean Yoon (\uc724 \uc9c4 \ud76c or \u5c39\u771f\u59ec) (@Jean Yoon (\uc724 \uc9c4 \ud76c or \u5c39\u771f\u59ec)) 1634864330
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