The guilty verdict in the Jussie Smollett case has led to strong criticisms of many Democrats who immediately sided with the disgraced actor, including then-South Bend Democratic mayor and now Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who referred to the incident as a “horrible attack.”
“While the struggle for basic hate crime legislation continues here in Indiana, this horrible attack calls all Americans to stand against hatred and violence in all its forms,” Buttigieg tweeted in 2019.
While the struggle for basic hate crime legislation continues here in Indiana, this horrible attack calls all Americans to stand against hatred and violence in all its forms. https://t.co/AfXJt8DpOf
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 29, 2019
Buttigieg’s words were widely quoted in the media, yet the former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate has yet to provide a retraction or speak out against his previous statement.
Buttigieg’s response was also one of many provided by Democrats immediately following the Smollett incident, despite early evidence pointing toward the alleged crime instead being a staged event.
Then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden also immediately released a statement on the Smollett hoax.
“What happened today to @JussieSmollett must never be tolerated in this country. We must stand up and demand that we no longer give this hate safe harbor; that homophobia and racism have no place on our streets or in our hearts. We are with you, Jussie,” Biden tweeted the day the incident was reported.
What happened today to @JussieSmollett must never be tolerated in this country. We must stand up and demand that we no longer give this hate safe harbor; that homophobia and racism have no place on our streets or in our hearts. We are with you, Jussie. https://t.co/o8ilPu68CM
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 30, 2019
Vice President Kamala Harris, also a Democratic presidential candidate at the time, quickly announced her support of Smollett.
“@JussieSmollett is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. I’m praying for his quick recovery,” Harris tweeted.
“This was an attempted modern day lynching. No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate,” she added.
.@JussieSmollett is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. I’m praying for his quick recovery.
This was an attempted modern day lynching. No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 29, 2019
As The Daily Wire reported on Thursday, Smollett was found guilty on five out of six counts of disorderly conduct.
5 out of 6
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 9, 2021
“Smollett was found not guilty about lying about aggravated battery. That charge was because his attackers were wearing masks,” Fox News reporter Matt Finn added.
Smollett was found not guilty about lying about aggravated battery. That charge was because his attackers were wearing masks.
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 9, 2021
The Daily Wire reported in 2019:
Smollett contends he was targeted by two Trump supporters, who verbally and physically accosted him as he was walking home from a Subway sandwich shop in downtown Chicago on January 29. The actor says the men called him a “f*****” and a “n*****,” tied a noose around his neck, poured bleach on him, and kicked him in the ribs.