House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s spokesperson issues a response on Monday to a viral video of the California Democrat appearing to elbow newly-elected Congresswoman Mayra Flores’ (R-TX) daughter during her swearing-in ceremony.
According to Pelosi’s Deputy Chief of Staff Drew Hammill, the Speaker was using her elbow to push the young girl to the side out of concern that she might not be visible in photographs of the event.
“It’s sad to see ‘news outlets’ that know better misrepresent the Speaker’s effort to ensure Rep. Flores’ daughters wouldn’t be hidden behind her in all of the photos of such an important moment for their family,” Hammill tweeted, adding a dig at Fox News by putting “news outlets” in quotes as he shared a story published by the outlet.
It’s sad to see “news outlets” that know better misrepresent the Speaker’s effort to ensure Rep. Flores’ daughters wouldn’t be hidden behind her in all of the photos of such an important moment for their family. https://t.co/Dm0oXtwF7V pic.twitter.com/KDyI4MfaOj
— Drew Hammill (@Drew_Hammill) June 27, 2022
Hammill followed that up with a second video showing Pelosi politely greeting Flores’ daughters, adding, “And here’s more footage of the Speaker graciously greeting Rep. Flores’ children and telling them about the room they are in.”
And here’s more footage of the Speaker graciously greeting Rep. Flores’ children and telling them about the room they are in. https://t.co/DNEEr4XbWH pic.twitter.com/gpJ5fXYEKr
— Drew Hammill (@Drew_Hammill) June 27, 2022
The video in question was taken during Flores’ swearing-in ceremony and showed Pelosi, who appeared to be talking with her hands, wedge her elbow between herself and Flores’ daughter before pushing her to the side. The young girl kept smiling, and shifted back to her initial position as soon as Pelosi returned her arm to her side.
“I love this princess stood her ground, while Nancy showed her true colors,” actor James Woods tweeted.
I love this princess stood her ground, while Nancy showed her true colors. pic.twitter.com/17ArfkD3MG
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) June 27, 2022
Flores herself also responded to the video, saying, “I am so proud of my strong, beautiful daughter for not allowing this to faze her. She continued to smile and pose for the picture like a Queen. No child should be pushed to the side for a photo op. PERIOD!!”
When she won her special election on June 15th, Flores flipped Texas’ 34th Congressional District — which had long been a Democratic stronghold — and became the first Mexican-born woman to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Flores will have to remain on campaign footing, however, because her win only gave her the last few months of former Congressman Filemon Vela’s (D-TX) term. She will have to defend her newly-acquired seat again in November’s midterm election, with her district being redrawn in the new Texas map.