President-elect Donald Trump's news conference Wednesday, his first in more than 160 days, may be best remembered by an exchange between Trump and a CNN reporter. So of course one our own, Rep. Randy Weber, a Republican from Texas's 14th congressional district, has waded into the mire with words of calm, urging that both sides attempt to get along.
Just kidding.
During Trump's hour-long session, the president-elect tangled with CNN reporter Jim Acosta and refused to let Acosta ask a question. On Tuesday evening, CNN and Buzzfeed published stories about a report that says Russia may have compromising information on Trump that could be used for blackmail, claims Trump's camp refuted.
And then on Thursday morning, Weber, for reasons passing understanding, took to Twitter with his own thoughtful, measured response to the tense exchange between the president-elect and Acosta:
The CNN reporter who was disruptive to the press briefing, & disrespectful to Trump-should be fired & prohibited from any press briefings.
— Randy Weber (@TXRandy14) January 12, 2017
People responded to the tweet by angrily calling Weber out for what many contend was a threat to free speech. The results have been entertaining, to say the least.
CNN reporter Jake Tapper went old school, Bill of Rights-style:
@TXRandy14 ICYMI pic.twitter.com/lQIgKUdwAw
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 12, 2017
Some have opted for good old fashioned outrage:
. @TXRandy14 In all seriousness, when you took an oath to preserve and protect the Constitution, what did you think it meant?
— Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) January 12, 2017
There have been those calling Weber out for the double standard:
.@TXRandy14 Congressman, did you call for Rep. Joe wilson's resignation when he yelled "you lie" at the President during State of Union?
— (((Andrew Winston))) (@AndrewWinston) January 12, 2017
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The ones who tweet exasperation mixed with pure disgust:
@TXRandy14 Are you very dumb, very evil, or both?
— maura quint (@behindyourback) January 12, 2017
Weber hasn't responded to the many tweets that have been fired off in response to his tweet.
If he does decide to start responding though he'll have the opportunity to learn exactly how the First Amendment works and why press freedom is important based on the many missives that have been fired off at his account so far — because there are a whole bunch of people on social media right now that will be more than happy to school him.
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