After Trump speech, AOC tells Democrats to organize in GOP districts against Medicaid cuts
Socialist firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is calling on Democrats to organize in GOP-heavy districts to push back against the Trump agenda and what she claims will be drastic cuts to Medicaid. Ocasio-Cortez took to Instagram Live late Tuesday night to rebut President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress and told her followers that Trump spewed a lot of misinformation but, ultimately, he and Republicans are coming for Medicare to buttress the pockets of billionaires like Elon Musk, who she labeled as an “a—hole.” She said that Trump craftily didn’t mention cuts to Medicare in his speech because that is his goal, and Democrats should host town halls and various other events in GOP districts to resist such cuts and expose local lawmakers. STATE TROOPERS, NYPD DESCEND ON AOC’S ‘RED LIGHT’ NEIGHBORHOOD TO CLAMP DOWN ON RAMPANT PROSTITUTION, CRIME “These Republicans, I’m telling you all, they are getting scared,” Ocasio-Cortez said to her 8.7 million followers on the platform in the 54-minute video. “Trump not mentioning Medicaid at the State of the Union is the game. He doesn’t talk about it. [It’s] what he fears and he knows it’s dynamite. The House Republicans know that it’s dynamite for them and that’s why they’re talking about not hosting town halls.” “We need to be creatively organizing in Republican districts. And I don’t want to hear, okay, Republicans don’t listen. They are afraid of this. I’m telling you.” Ocasio-Cortez called on Democrats to host town halls in Rep. Nicole Malliotakis’ districts of Staten Island and Brooklyn in New York, Rep. Mike Lawler’s district of Westchester County in New York and Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s district in New Jersey. AOC’S ‘RED LIGHT DISTRICT’ PLAGUED BY CRIME AS DEMOCRAT WHO HELPED HER RISE TO POWER SAYS SHE ‘DISAPPEARED’ “If you’re near a Republican, if you are in a Republican district and your Republican is not hosting a town hall, it’s time to do community town halls,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “It’s time to do community teachings. It’s time to do community town halls. It is time to start advertising their absence.” Medicaid has quickly emerged as a political lightning rod as House Republicans negotiate on a massive bill to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda. Trump has said he is committed to protecting Medicare and Medicaid. The White House has emphasized reforms aimed at reducing waste within these programs. Some Republican lawmakers are worried about the level of spending cuts being sought by fiscal hawks to offset the cost of Trump’s policies, arguing the current deal could force potentially unworkable cuts on Medicaid and other federal safety net programs. WATCH: Trump talks creation of DOGE, praises Elon Musk in speech to Congress Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that Democrats should take advantage of these doubts and hammer home the pitfalls of potential cuts to Medicaid. “If Democrats can step on a rake, Republicans can step on a rake. And I am telling you, they are stepping on one of the biggest rakes in modern American history,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “They are messing with social security y’all. I need you to understand how much of a political no-go that has been for both parties for a very long time, for a reason. Because your stuff will collapse.” Ocasio-Cortez said that for those who say the U.S. doesn’t have enough money to pay for social safety nets, they should look at Musk and other billionaires making bank by getting government contracts. “We let a–holes like Elon Musk cut Medicaid and cut social security in order for him to pay for his own tax cuts and his own billion dollars in private federal contracts.” “This guy takes billions and billions of your tax dollars, of your public funds. And it’s not just Elon. All these guys, a lot of a lot of these tech guys that were standing behind Trump at the inauguration.” She likened them to defense contractors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin and said she believes that healthcare is a human right. “They are robbing us of the tiny slivers of what we have left in our collective public social safety net in order to get $1 billion defense contracts… They fund propaganda for it and they buy platforms like Twitter and, yeah, Meta, and all these other things.” She said the stakes are high, and it will take people going out and speaking to Republicans and convincing them of the Democrat message. “We cannot give up on winning the hearts and minds of our fellow Americans.” Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
‘Squad’ member delivers real-time whiteboard responses to Trump: ‘No king!’
“Squad” member Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., used a whiteboard to deliver real-time responses to President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. While other Democrats held up pre-printed signs, Tlaib scribbled several messages throughout the evening. As President Trump delivered his 100-minute-long speech, Tlaib scribbled several messages on a mini-whiteboard, including, “No king!,” “What about the immigrants that worked for you?,” and “That’s a lie!” Tlaib’s actions seemed to be against House Democrat leadership’s wishes, as several reports say that party members were urged to not use pops and to show proper decorum. TOP 5 MOMENTS FROM TRUMP’S ADDRESS TO JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS The “Squad” member’s whiteboard and keffiyeh-like jacket garnered a slew of reactions. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Sc., called Tlaib the “poster child” of Trump derangement syndrome (TDS), a term coined online that refers to those who automatically reject anything that comes from Trump. Additionally, Rep. Mace tweeted an apparently photoshopped image of Tlaib with a blank sign and encouraged her followers to “fill in the blank.” Unsurprisingly, this became a pattern with several social media users posting memes of Tlaib and her whiteboard with various phrases poking fun at the congresswoman and Democrats. Some criticized Tlaib for wearing a keffiyeh-like jacket, pointing out that one of the guests attending the joint session was Noa Argamani, who was taken captive by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, and was rescued by Israeli troops in June 2024. SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLODES AFTER DEMS DO NOT STAND FOR YOUNG CANCER PATIENT Tlaib was not the first Democrat to disrupt or protest the president’s speech. The first protest sign of the night was held up before Trump even reached the front of the chamber. As Trump walked into the room and lawmakers flocked to the aisle to greet him, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-Nm., held up a sign reading “this is not normal.” While Rep. Stansbury held her sign in silent protest, the first real interruption occurred when Rep. Al Green, D-Tx., began heckling President Trump less than 10 minutes into the address. Rep. Green objected to President Trump saying he was given a “mandate” after winning the popular vote and the Electoral College. Democrats were widely panned for their behavior over the course of the evening, with many calling them out for not applauding several of the guests Trump highlighted in his speech. This included DJ, a young brain cancer survivor who dreams of being a police officer, and the mothers of Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray, both of whom were killed by alleged illegal immigrants. Meghan McCain said she was “disgusted” and that the lawmakers needed to “get a grip.” Meanwhile, Fox News Channel contributor Ari Fleischer said the Democrats were “embarrassing themselves” with the displays. In addition to the signs and lack of cheers, multiple Democrats walked out of the address, some wearing political shirts. One of them was Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fl., who wore a shirt with “No kings live here” written on the back. Others held up paddles throughout the speech that were reminiscent of the one Tlaib used to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Messages on the paddles included “Musk steals,” “Save Medicaid” and “False.”
Dem Rep. Al Green, booted from Trump’s address to Congress, doubles down on impeachment
Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas doubled down on impeaching President Donald Trump following his disruption and removal from the president’s address to Congress on Tuesday night. Green, a longtime critic of Trump, told reporters after being removed that he was working on articles of impeachment against the president and defended his outburst at the start of Trump’s speech. “This president is unfit,” Green said. “He should not hold the office.” Green said it was worth being removed from the joint session of Congress to make his point, which he said was to object to Trump saying he had a “mandate.” SOCIAL MEDIA ERUPTS AFTER HOUSE DEM AL GREEN INTERRUPTED TRUMP’S ADDRESS: ‘EMBARRASSING THEMSELVES’ “I was making it clear to the president that he has no mandate to cut Medicaid,” Green said, referring to the health care program used by 80 million Americans. “I have people who are very fearful. These are poor people, and they have only Medicaid in their lives when it comes to their health care.” “But it’s worth it to let people know that there are some of us who are going to stand up against this president’s desire to cut Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security,” he said. Green’s outburst saw the congressman wave his walking cane as he stood up and shouted at the president. Republicans drowned him out with chants of “USA! USA!” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., issued a warning for order, banging the gavel and saying, “Take your seat, sir!” When Green remained standing, Johnson ordered the Sergeants-at-Arms to restore order by removing the long-serving congressman from the chamber. TOP 5 MOMENTS FROM TRUMP’S ADDRESS TO JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS When reporters asked Green if shouting during Trump’s speech was the best way to get his point across, the congressman did not waver. “It is the best way to get that across to a person who uses his incivility, who uses his incivility against our civility,” Green said of Trump. “He is a person who has consistently used incivility against civility.” Johnson said afterward that Green should be censured by the House – among the more severe reprimands his colleagues could mete out. “He’s made history in a terrible way,” Johnson told reporters after the session. “If they want to make a 77-year-old heckling congressman the face of their resistance, if that’s the Democrat Party, so be it,” Johnson said. “But we will not tolerate it on the House floor.” Green told reporters that he is “willing to suffer whatever punishment is available to me.” “I didn’t say to anyone, don’t punish me,” Green said. “I’ve said, I’ll accept the punishment.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Conservatives erupt with praise on social media after Trump’s speech to Congress: ‘Run through a wall’
Reactions from conservatives on social media poured in after President Donald Trump spoke for about two hours in his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. After Trump’s speech lasted 1 hour and 39 minutes, conservatives took to social media to praise the president and criticize the Democratic response, including Democratic Rep. Al Green’s removal from the room for interrupting Trump’s address. “Peak Trump,” former Trump campaign senior adviser Tim Murtaugh posted on X. “That’s what that was.” “Who else feels like they could run through a wall for America after that,” Trump administration senior advisor for the U.S. Agency for Global Media Kari Lake posted on X. ‘HE’S BACK’: TRUMP’S JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS TO BE BLANKETED WITH 6-FIGURE AD BUY TOUTING TAX PLAN “The President took a victory lap tonight — and he deserves to,” Trump Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins posted on X. “He’s completely right that the first month of his Presidency was more consequential than most four-year Presidencies.” “But don’t miss the important thing: this wasn’t a look back. It was a look forward. What the President did tonight was extend the promise he’s made from day one: that America will come first. He’s done it — he’s lived it — and he’s going to keep doing it.” TRUMP SET TO CONTINUE UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF ACTIONS, ADDRESS CONGRESS IN 7TH WEEK BACK IN OFFICE “Lost count around 90 standing ovations tonight,” GOP Rep. Nancy Mace posted on X. “The best President in American history.” “This is a fabulous speech!” Conservative commentator Mark Levin posted on X. “After four years of weakness, strength is back in the White House and President Trump is already delivering on his promise of a safe and prosperous nation for the American people,” GOP Rep. Derek Schmidt said in a statement after Trump’s speech. Many Republicans praised the speech while at the same time pointing out the Democrats who refused to stand at various points, including moments that were seemingly nonpartisan, including for a 13-year-old cancer survivor named DJ Daniel who dreamed of being a police officer. “An inspiring, emotional address from @realDonaldTrump!!” GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno posted on X. “But crazed partisan Dems refused to applaud even a brave young man like DJ. Appalling!” “Democrats refused to stand or clap for a little boy fighting cancer,” conservative influencer account LibsofTikTok posted on X. “Truly sick people.” “Most people watching that speech will be at a loss of what they were supposed to disagree with, and wonder why Democrats were so glum and disagreeable,” National Review’s Rich Lowry posted on X. The speech was panned by many Democrats, including members of Congress who jeered Trump for most of the night, and several Democrats walked out before it was done. “In just half an hour, he spewed ignorance on everything from diversity, immigration and trans kids to DOGE cuts and the cost of eggs. I heard enough, so I left. His words do nothing to help the people in my district—there’s real work to be done,” Dem. Rep. LaMonica McIver said in a release.
Bernie Sanders seethes US has become ‘oligarchic society’ following Trump speech
Democrat Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said the U.S. has become an “oligarchic society” while responding to President Donald Trump’s address to a joint Congress Tuesday evening. “The Trump administration is not hiding it,” Sanders said in a streamed response to Trump’s address Tuesday. “The Trump administration is a government of the billionaire class by the billionaire class, and for the billionaire class. Notwithstanding some of their rhetoric, this is a government that could care less about ordinary Americans and the working families of our country. My friends, we are no longer moving toward oligarchy. We are living in an oligarchic society.” Trump’s speech late Tuesday evening marked the first time he addressed a joint session of Congress since his return to the Oval Office in January. Trump celebrated his administration’s breakneck pace of executive orders, securing the nation’s southern border, as well as his tariff plan during his speech. “To my fellow citizens, America is back,” Trump declared at the start of his speech after thanking the members of Congress and first lady Melania Trump. SEN. BERNIE SANDERS SAYS TRUMP’S SPEECH WAS ‘NOT MUCH,’ SAYS HIS SPEECH WILL ‘BE BETTER’ “Six weeks ago, I stood beneath the dome of this Capitol and proclaimed the dawn of the golden Age of America,” he said. “From that moment on, it has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action to usher in the greatest and most successful era in the history of our country. We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years. And we are just getting started.” Sanders argued in his response speech that Trump delivered a handful of “lies.” EX-MSNBC HOST KNOCKS NY TIMES FOR NOT REPRESENTING ‘THE LEFT,’ CALLS FOR PRO-BERNIE SANDERS VOICES IN MEDIA “Trump has claimed that millions of undocumented people voted and do vote in American elections — a lie,” Sanders said. “Trump has claimed that climate change is a hoax originating in China — a lie. Trump has claimed that Ukraine started the horrific war with Russia — a lie. And tonight, just tonight, Trump claimed that millions of dead people between the ages of 100 and 360, we’re collecting Social Security checks. And that is an outrageous lie intended to lay the groundwork for cuts to Social Security and dismantling the most successful and popular government program in history.” The Vermont senator also railed against the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, which is led by Elon Musk, and its work going through various federal agencies to stamp out overspending, fraud and mismanagement. BERNIE SANDERS REJECTS JAMES CARVILLE’S CALLS FOR DEMOCRATS TO ‘PLAY DEAD’ “For the past several weeks, he and his good friend Elon Musk, who was up there in the audience tonight, have been throwing hundreds of thousands of federal employees off their jobs,” Sanders said. “Now, I know some of you are saying, ‘well, that’s too bad, you know, but that’s the federal government.’” “But I want you to think about this,” he added. “Think about it for a moment. If Musk and his friends can arbitrarily throw federal workers out on the street today, what do you think that Musk and his fellow billionaires will be doing tomorrow, when artificial intelligence and robotics explode in this country? Do you think they’ll give a damn about you and your families? No, they will treat you exactly the way they’re treating federal employees today/”
Trump says America would welcome Greenland during joint address to Congress
President Donald Trump continued pushing the idea of America acquiring Greenland on Tuesday night, devoting a small portion of his speech to the topic while delivering remarks before a joint session of Congress. Trump declared that the U.S. would welcome the people of Greenland if they decided to join America. “And I also have a message tonight for the incredible people of Greenland. We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America,” Trump declared. TRUMP PROMISES ‘THIS WILL BE OUR GREATEST ERA’ IN JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS He said that the U.S. needs the island “for national security and even international security.” Trump promised that such a union would bring both security and prosperity to Greenland. “We will keep you safe. We will make you rich. And together we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before,” he said. TRUMP PROMISES ‘THIS WILL BE OUR GREATEST ERA’ IN JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS While Trump has previously advocated the idea, it was notable that he chose to wade into the issue during his address on Tuesday. “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump declared in a December Truth Social post. In a January post, Trump declared, “Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!” FETTERMAN OPEN TO POTENTIAL GREENLAND ACQUISITION, DECLARES SUPPORT FOR LAKEN RILEY ACT CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP According to the official website of Denmark, “Greenland has its own extensive local government, but it is also part of the Realm of Denmark.”
House Minority Leader Jeffries describes Trump’s address to Congress as ‘most divisive’ in American history
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who encouraged his fellow Democrats to attend President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress on Tuesday, described the speech as “the most divisive” in American history after its conclusion. Jeffries, D-N.Y., said the president “did not try to unite the country” nor did he address “serious economic challenges facing everyday Americans.” “Instead, President Trump promoted the reckless Republican budget that sets up the largest cut to Medicaid in our country’s history. Democrats will continue to fight hard to make life better for the people, and together we will get through this turbulent moment,” the top House Democrat said in a statement. Trump’s speech, which lasted about an hour and 39 minutes, addressed a range of topics, from his administration’s fight against the illegal immigrant crisis to more touching moments where the president honored special guests in the chamber. HOUSE DEM LEADER HAKEEM JEFFRIES SAYS HE PLANS TO ATTEND TRUMP’S SPEECH: ‘DIGNIFIED DEMOCRATIC PRESENCE’ In a post-speech interview, Jeffries accused Trump and his administration of “repeatedly” lying and making things about him and “never about the American people.” “It’s always about him and never about the American people. This is why the economy is crashing. Things haven’t gotten better. They’re getting worse,” Jeffries said, adding that “the free world is falling apart because Donald Trump is playing footsie with Vladimir Putin.” In his criticism, Jefferies heavily focused on Trump assuring Americans that funding for social security, Medicaid and Medicare will not be cut unless fraud or abuse is detected, describing those promises made by the president and the Republican Party as lies. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP CONCLUDES REMARKS AFTER DECLARING ‘AMERICA’S MOMENTUM IS BACK’ “They’re going to go after Social Security benefits. I think that was clear after this speech. And we know that they are proposing the largest Medicaid cut in American history that’s going to hurt children, hurt families, hurt people with disabilities, shut down hospitals and close nursing homes,” Jeffries said, referencing proposed tax cuts. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has previously stated that Republicans are “not talking about in any way reducing benefits” for the programs Jeffries is concerned about. “What we’re talking about is efficiencies in the programs to make them work better for the people who receive those benefits and to make them longer lasting to sustain the programs,” Johnson said. The Democratic leader did not share any praise for the president’s speech, despite there being some moments that would seemingly be celebrated by all, such as swearing a 13-year-old cancer survivor in as an honorary Secret Service agent and telling a high school senior his application to West Point was accepted. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Jeffries did not publicly comment on anything specific besides his concerns about potential cuts to government programs in his post-speech interview, but he did criticize the “Republican agenda” as a whole multiple times. “What’s going to move this country back in the right direction is for the American people to fully understand the implications of this very divisive and extreme agenda that is being unleashed on the American people,” Jeffries said, in part.
Trump calls out federal workers not showing up to the office, says it’s time to drain ‘the swamp’
President Donald Trump said his administration called out the hundreds of thousands of federal workers who do not show up to work, saying it was time to drain “the swamp.” “We have hundreds of thousands of federal workers who have not been showing up to work,” Trump said while speaking at the U.S. Capitol Tuesday night. “My administration will reclaim power from this unaccountable bureaucracy, and we will restore true democracy to America again. “And any federal bureaucrat who resists this change will be removed from office immediately,” he added. “Because we are draining the swamp. It’s very simple. And the days of rule by unelected bureaucrats are over.” The Trump administration offered buyouts for nearly two million federal employees, including those who work remotely, as part of Trump’s efforts to get employees back into the office. Originally they only had until Feb. 6 to opt in. TRUMP TO SIGN MEMO LIFTING BIDEN’S LAST-MINUTE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS Under the buyout offer, employees will stop working early March and receive pay benefits through Sept. 30. The White House confirmed to Fox News Digital that numbers had climbed to 75,000 as of Thursday morning. It previously said it expected 200,000 people to accept the offer. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OFFERS BUYOUTS TO FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING REMOTE WORKERS: ‘DEFERRED RESIGNATION’ During Trump’s first week in office, he issued several directives to the federal workforce, including a requirement that remote employees must return to in-person work. The American Federation of Government Employees and two other unions filed a complaint, claiming the buyout offer was “arbitrary and capricious” and violates federal law. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The unions allege the administration cannot guarantee the plan will be funded and has failed to consider the consequences of mass resignations, including how it may affect the government’s ability to function.
GOP rebels head to White House for meeting to avoid government shutdown
A group of House conservatives are heading to the White House Wednesday to discuss the path forward for avoiding a partial government shutdown. “It’s a meeting with the House Freedom Caucus leadership, and then a few of the people who philosophically share our feelings about the fiscal situation,” House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., told Fox News Digital. “And we’re going to hear what the president has to say.” Fresh off an internal battle that ended with House Republicans taking the first step to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda through the budget reconciliation process, GOP lawmakers are facing another looming fiscal fight. Congressional negotiators have punted fiscal year 2025 government funding talks twice since the new fiscal year began Oct. 1, 2024. They did so by passing a continuing resolution, a short-term funding patch to extend current federal spending levels. TRUMP FIRES 17 GOVERNMENT WATCHDOGS AT VARIOUS FEDERAL AGENCIES Congress could risk a partial government shutdown on Trump’s watch if nothing is done by the end of March 14. To avoid that, however, GOP leaders are looking to pass another continuing resolution, this time through the end of fiscal year 2025. But Democrats and Republicans are at an impasse over the left’s demands that the resolution include assurances that Trump will not overstep Congress and spend less money than what’s appropriated. Democratic votes have been critical to passing every continuing resolution since Republicans took the House in January 2023. And with a razor-thin majority, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., can lose few votes to pass anything with just GOP support. FEDERAL JUDGE HINTS SHE WILL CONTINUE BLOCKING TRUMP FROM FIRING HEAD OF WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION AGENCY Trump has spoken out on the matter, calling on Republicans to pass a “clean” extension of last year’s funds through the end of the fiscal year. Republican leaders are hoping that will be enough to sway conservatives and other GOP lawmakers who normally are, on principle, opposed to continuing resolutions. It is why several such lawmakers will be at the White House Wednesday. “I’m hopeful we can get this off the ground,” Harris said. “But, again, it’s going to involve all hands on deck in the Republican conference in the House.” Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., another House Freedom Caucus member who normally opposes continuing resolutions, suggested he may be open to supporting this latest bid. Norman, who will be at the White House Wednesday, was hopeful Trump’s push to cut government waste represented a new chapter that could allow for Republicans opposed to a continuing resolution to feel comfortable crossing that line. “I will be part of the group, and we’ll be talking with the president,” Norman said. “It’s real important to keep his momentum going. It’s a new day with the DOGE cuts. (Continuing resolutions) a lot of us don’t like. We haven’t voted for them in the past. Today is different, and I think we’ll pass the vote. “If we have to get Democrats, that’s not a good sign. And I don’t think we have to, nor should we. And there’s no one better to sell a program or a point of view than Donald Trump.” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, declined to say if he would attend the meeting but said he was supportive of Trump’s stance on a continuing resolution. Roy, the House Freedom Caucus policy chair, has become a de facto liaison between Republican leaders and the most hawkish members of the House GOP Conference. “I have publicly said that I’m happy to support the president’s request to have a (continuing resolution) the next six months, provided that it’s clean, provided that it is at current levels or below,” Roy said. “I’m not going to talk about private meetings and what I’ve been invited to, but let’s say I’m in close contact with the White House.”
Georgia House advances bill to ease death penalty law for intellectually disabled people
The Georgia House unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday lessening the threshold for a person facing the death penalty to be considered intellectually disabled, which would make them ineligible for a death sentence. State Rep. Bill Werkheiser, a Republican, had previously introduced legislation aimed at making it easier for someone to prove they are intellectually disabled in order to avoid the death penalty in the Peach State, which has one of the nation’s toughest thresholds to overcome. That bill was proposed just months before Willie James Pye, whose IQ was allegedly low enough to show he was intellectually disabled, was executed after his conviction in the 1993 rape and shooting death of his former girlfriend, Alicia Lynn Yarbrough. Pye’s lawyers argued he was intellectually disabled and brain-damaged. Pye’s execution bothered Werkheiser, whose legislation at the time never had a vote in committee, but this bill has received more legislative support after passing the House unanimously. Now it heads to the Senate. SOUTH CAROLINA DEATH ROW INMATE CHOOSES FIRING SQUAD AS EXECUTION METHOD Georgia became the first state to outlaw the death penalty for intellectually disabled people in 1988. The U.S. Supreme Court later followed suit and ruled in 2002 that executing intellectually disabled people violates constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment. However, the court allowed states to determine the threshold for a person to be considered intellectually disabled. Georgia requires people to prove intellectual disability beyond a reasonable doubt, making it the only state with such a high burden of proof. The bill advanced on Tuesday also allows defendants to present evidence of intellectual disability at a pretrial hearing that would be mandatory if prosecutors agree. If convicted at trial, defendants could then present evidence of intellectual disability in a separate process before the same jury. Defendants who are found to have an intellectual disability would receive a life sentence if convicted. “I believe it is incumbent upon the state to protect those who cannot protect themselves,” Werkheiser said. In another case, Warren Lee Hill was executed in Georgia in 2015 for killing a fellow detainee despite his lawyers arguing that he had an intellectual disability. In 2002, a judge said that if Georgia used a lower standard than reasonable doubt, Hill would likely have been found intellectually disabled. When the Georgia Supreme Court in 2021 upheld the death penalty for Rodney Young, the justices found he had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was intellectually disabled, although then-Presiding Justice David Nahmias wrote that he would “embrace” legislative efforts to lower the threshold. Young was sentenced to death in the 2008 killing of Gary Jones, his ex-fiancée’s adult son. Prosecutors have testified in committee hearings that they do not oppose amending the reasonable doubt standard, but they are against changes to the trial process and the addition of a pretrial hearing. “The proposed bill cherry-picks from several different states,” said T. Wright Barksdale III, district attorney for the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit in central Georgia. Proponents of the bill argue that if jurors have already heard the details of a gruesome crime, they may have a difficult time evaluating evidence of the defendant’s intellectual disability without bias. Most states allow defendants the opportunity to prove their intellectual disability before the trial and have separate processes for determining a defendant’s guilt and for determining their intellectual disability. “Changing only the standard of proof is insufficient for ensuring that Georgia does not continue to execute people with valid claims of intellectual disability,” said Mazie Lynn Guertin, executive director of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. IDAHO MURDERS CASE: BRYAN KOHBERGER’S LIKELIHOOD OF FIRING SQUAD EXECUTION INCREASES Barksdale claims that the proposal would make the process too complicated and would prevent the death penalty from being carried out at all. “As this law is constructed, and based on my experience of trying capital cases, it would, for all intents and purposes, cripple us to a point that we would never have a real fair shot at ever obtaining a death penalty for anyone,” Barksdale said, adding that lawmakers should abolish the death penalty if that is what they want, but lawmakers have said that is not their intention. During two committee hearings on this bill, Republican and Democrat lawmakers seemed unconvinced that the procedural changes would make the process too complicated. Death penalty cases, they noted, already take a long time, including many motions and hearings ahead of the trial. “We have the death penalty in this state. I’m not going to debate it,” Democrat Rep. Esther Panitch, who is also a criminal defense attorney, said Tuesday. “But if we’re going to mete out the ultimate punishment, it should only be for the worst of the worst, and those we have spent the time to make sure understand their culpability.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.