Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has faced tough criticism recently for covertly contacting Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) while that state’s post-Election Day ballot-tabulation processes were ongoing. According to The Washington Post‘s summary, Raffensperger says that Graham “asked whether Raffensperger had the power to toss all mail ballots in counties found to have higher rates of nonmatching signatures,” and Raffensperger “said he was stunned that Graham appeared to suggest that he find a way to toss legally cast ballots,” the Post’s summary adds. Graham, who denies Raffensperger’s characterization of his remarks, has responded to criticism with even more belligerence.
As time has gone on, Graham has sounded increasingly committed to the bombastic self-aggrandizement of Trumpism. He’s sounded ready and willing to villainize and totally dismiss his political opponents, as if he’s totally committed to pushing an agenda of “my way or the highway.” On Thursday, Graham ranted on Twitter along these lines against “The Squad,” a group of U.S. House members from around the country who stand for progressive ideals. Alongside a screenshot of some criticism from Democratic House members, Graham posted the following angry, bellicose remarks:
‘I can understand why the Squad doesn’t want me in the Senate – because I’m going to bury your agenda. You’re a bunch of Socialists. You would transform America and make it Venezuela. I’m gonna stand in your way. I’m not going anywhere!’
I can understand why the Squad doesn't want me in the Senate – because I'm going to bury your agenda.
You're a bunch of Socialists. You would transform America and make it Venezuela.
I'm gonna stand in your way.
I'm not going anywhere! pic.twitter.com/oLAMkwmyR4
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 19, 2020
The original membership of this informal “Squad” included four U.S. Representatives: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.). Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), whose criticism of Graham was included in his angry post, has never been widely considered a “member” of the informal group — although she is non-white. Graham’s glib grouping of non-white members of Congress with “The Squad” as if they’re synonymous with one another reeks of racism.
To be clear: there is no covert conspiracy against Graham because of his ardent defense of conservative principles, or whatever. The surge of opposition that he has recently faced is because of his Georgia meddling. (And no, the members of Congress who he’s complaining about don’t aim for policies that would “transform” the United States into Venezuela. That’s a ridiculous statement on its face. How would he even quantify this allegation in tangible terms? Does he mean to imply that the policies that “Squad” members support would lead to economic calamity in the United States? Economic calamity is already here, thanks in large part to the Trump administration’s failure to meaningfully control COVID-19!)
Check out Twitter’s response to Graham below:
