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Minority Leader Caldwell urges civility, condemns violent rhetoric and cites threats to lawmakers
Summary
Minority Leader Caldwell addressed the House to condemn violent or dehumanizing rhetoric toward law enforcement, named several victims of violent incidents, and said death threats had been placed on legislative parking spots; he urged lowering the temperature in the chamber while protecting due process.
Minority Leader Caldwell delivered a floor statement asking colleagues to lower the rhetorical temperature in the chamber and to avoid language he described as dangerous. He named individuals he said were recently killed — Melissa Powell and her 16‑year‑old son, Karen Diamond, Jasmine Carpio and Caitlin Weaver — and tied those references to a broader point about public safety and responsibility in public discourse.
Caldwell warned against characterizing federal law enforcement with terms such as "gestapo" or "masked vigilantes," calling such language "not just unfair, but also dangerous." He said those remarks have "real world consequences" and reported that, "just 2 weeks ago, in the parking lot of this capitol, death threats to my members were placed on legislative parking spots." He framed his remarks as a plea to preserve due process while condemning violence.
Caldwell said his caucus values immigrants and includes members who are immigrants and family members of immigrants, but he said that must be balanced with adherence to law and order. He concluded by urging responsibility from all members and asserting that the caucus would work to ensure grieving families are not forgotten.
The remarks were delivered on the House floor; the transcript records the statement but does not show any formal motion or disciplinary action resulting from the remarks in the provided excerpts.
