Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) on Thursday silenced a CNN reporter with a single question while defending his outburst at the State of the Union.
Earlier in Biden’s speech, when Biden attacked former President Donald Trump for “failing the most basic presidential duty he owes to the American people: his duty of care,” Van Orden said, “That’s a lie.” he shouted. That crime is “unforgivable,” Biden added.
After the speech, CNN correspondent Manu Raju confronted Van Orden for interrupting Biden.
“Why did you scream that the president was lying?” a CNN reporter asked.
Van Orden explained that he took issue with Biden’s refusal to take responsibility for the border crisis.
“The president should have started and ended his State of the Union address by apologizing to the American people. He allowed 8 million illegal immigrants into this country.”[ed] border. And you know he can close it. So a huge portion of what he said in the State of the Union was a complete fabrication.”
In subsequent questions, Raju suggested it was inappropriate for Van Orden to use abusive language. However, the interview quickly ended when Van Orden asked a revealing question of his own.
“You are clearly a member of the House of Representatives. Is it appropriate to shout ‘lies’ when the President is addressing you?” Raju asked.
“Is it appropriate to tell the truth?” Van Orden shot back.
This simple question raises an important point. If verbal abuse violates etiquette rules, what about dishonesty or lack of candor?
Meanwhile, Van Orden said Friday he had no intention of apologizing.
In a radio interview he said, condemned Mr. Biden treated his State of the Union address, which was supposed to be a political summary of the State of the Union, as a “campaign speech” designed to attack his number one political opponent.
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