Democrats consider the possibility of AOC seeking a restraining order against MTG

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Top Democrats in Congress have discussed whether Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could seek a restraining order against GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene after the Republican shouted at her colleague in the Capitol earlier this month, Politico reported on Tuesday.

Democratic sources told Politico that Ocasio-Cortez would likely need to seek the restraining order herself.

A spokesperson for Ocasio-Cortez didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on Tuesday.

Greene has repeatedly targeted Ocasio-Cortez over the past few years. In 2019, Greene and several of her associates taunted Ocasio-Cortez's staffers and vandalized the congresswoman's guest book outside her Capitol office.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democrats-consider-the-possibility-of-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-seeking-a-restraining-order-against-marjorie-taylor-greene/ar-AAKngB5

[H2O Man]

1. Recommended.

I think that she should.

[AZ8theist]

13. VEHEMENTLY DISAGREE.

It will only add fodder to the Reich wing talking points that we are snowflakes and cowardly not engaging.

She should just hire some body guards.

You know, 6' 8'' hulking body builders. Preferably men of color.

And just have them stand between Emp Tee headed Gangreene and AOC.

Then we'll see who the bullshitter snowflake is......

[Escurumbele]

14. Do you know what the expense of having body guards on a daily basis would be?

I don't know that it would be covered by tax payers, but she would have to pay out of pocket...

A restraining order is a good start, it places a police record on the ignorant Greene, not that she cares, I understand, I would think that a police record against her would be a badge of honor to her, but nonetheless it is the first action she needs to take. It would also get Greene in trouble if she did not comply with the restraining order.

[AZ8theist]

20. She packs heat on the House floor..

avoids the metal detectors.

Doesn't wear a mask. Against House rules.

Do you really think she'll abide by a restraining order? She'll violate it and fund raise off her violations.

I say better she get intimidated by some body guards. Start a GoFundMe page to pay for it. It's worth it.

[Progressive Jones]

25. A restraining order on record would land Greene in bigger trouble if she goes after AOC again. nt

[ancianita]

18. Disagree or not, this is how one disagrees when one endorses rule of men.

This isn't a snowflake or talking points or bullygirl or due force contest.

This is about rule of law, vandalism and workplace harassment of a duly elected representative.

[AZ8theist]

26. I 100% agree with your statement.

But this is not about the rule of law, this is politics.

Sunk to this level by the Repuke Nazi party we are fighting against.

For the absolute survival of our democracy.

[ancianita]

34. Well, then

you'll also agree that a Repuke Nazi party and rule of men are both subject to rule of law. Whatever level they've sunk to, that is what a restraining order is about.

I totally agree with you about the level they've sunk to, but we know we should not sink to their level or we legitimize their behavior by being like them.

[live love laugh]

42. +1. Because politics and law can and do coexist. nt

[msfiddlestix]

38. It's a lot more than "Politics" or even the rule of law. This is about security measures

in response to real and violent threats.

A completely different matter, particularly if MTG had anything to do with aiding and abetting insurrectionists literally hunting AOC down with violent intent on Jan 6th, as well as the number of times, she has been harassed in the tunnels, and coming to and leaving campus, according to reports a couple of months ago. I have to imagine nothing has changed, since MTG continues to harass her.

This isn't Politics.

[H2O Man]

28. That's fine.

Differences of opinion are a good thing, so long as it encourages meaningful, rational discussions. I always favor making those in a combination of some capital letters, and more lower case letters. Now, I will attempt to respond to four of you last five sentences.

Of course it would "add fodder" to the republican rage. Likewise, without question, hiring body guards would add an equal dose of fodder. Hence, we should concentrate on what would be effective versus what would not be effective. Rational thought versus emotional reactions. In a very real sense, similar to what I've always told kids about sports, from basketball to boxing: if an opponent fouls you, do not immediately foul bacl, because there is a 95% chance the referee will call the foul and penalize you. And the republican crowd will surely "boo" you then, while giving each other "high fives." I don't think we want to risk that.

What could body guards do? They would definitely cause Greene to act out more for the cameras. Would you have the body guards restrain a US Congresswoman for talking in a rude, obnoxious manner? Gosh, that would shut the right wing up! Especially if the body guards were arrested. This is the dangers that allowing an opponent's toxicity to influence -- or dictate -- your thinking and behavior. MTG is a sick individual. We are sane. MTG can be counted on to break the law. We have the option of using the law to our advantage.

I understand the frustration that leads to statements about "men of color." Believe that I find MTG as repulsive as you do. But I am also aware of the behavior patterns of individuals with the personality disorder she has. Her wettest dream would be to have her being restrained by large, non-white males. Would you agree that this would result in more donations than any other thing? They are sick; we are healthy. A healthy mind mandates making use of the law. An unhealthy mind will find motivation to come close to crossing the line -- if not dashing across it. A restraining order will frustrate MTG, and she will act out.

By violating the order, the republicans will have to either support her, or take some action for her breaking a court's restraining order. I suspect that is superior in virtually every manner, than hiring body guards. It's better to make use of the law in these cases. AOC needs body guards away from her work at DC. Those are options that actually can happen.

[AZ8theist]

30. OK, so let the security detail be all white, whatever....

But if you think the "republicans'" will do a damn thing about her, you're being naïve.

She's been spouting anti-Semitic nonsense for 2 weeks now, and the Repuke reaction has been??? Yup, CALL THE FUCKING DEMS ANTI-SEMITIC. McCarthy took a WEEK TO SAY ANYTHING about her, and managed to criticize the Democrats in the process.
Jewish fucking "space lasers"?????????? What the actual FUCK??? She spouted deference to fucking HITLER, FFS, and the Repuke leadership sat on their hands. Expecting McCarthy or Moscow Mitch to do the right thing is like waiting for the sun to rise in the west.

The current Repukes aren't the opposition party, they are the FUCKING DESTROYERS OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

(and you have NO IDEA how repulsed I am by this ignorant, Nazi fucking piece of shit...)

Sure, get a restraining order. Take our political lumps. But also put 6 or 7 offensive lineman in between AOC and the OBVIOUSLY DERANGED Emp TEE headed Gangreene. We can do both.

But if we do NOTHING, our cause is lost. Democracy and the American experiment will be gone forever. Those gallows the terrorists assembled on 1/6 will be put to use. I will not sit back and watch it happen......

And Emp Tee headed Gangreen just might end up Speaker of the House.

[H2O Man]

31. Saying hateful things

is obnoxious as hell. A restraining order violation results in legal consequences. It is rather obvious which is more likely to force republicans to have to confront her behavior in a meaningful way.

There are less "political lumps" for getting a restraining order, than from attempting to get body guards for AOC into the House.One is possible, the other an emotional fantasy with zero chance of ever happening. In such decisions, I favor doing what is possible.

[AZ8theist]

33. You got the last word.

And I disagree.

[H2O Man]

41. Yet we agree

that MTG must be stopped. That she presents a threat. We disagree on tactics, but have the same goal. That is most important.

[ancianita]

37. Totally agree.

Whatever our opinions, rule of law is the bottom line.

[H2O Man]

43. Thank you!

A couple of thoughts .... first, although I was medium-sized, not large and intimidating, I've served as a body guard in public settings many years ago, when I was capable of protecting a well known speaker on a university campus. Not a great deal of experience, but even in the little I had, I know that it requires the ability to scan a crowd and make quick judgements. I do think that for many public, and even private settings, there are Democrats who need that type of security. It's not a perfect solution, 100% foolproof, but it is necessary.

Yet the greatest overall threat of the Trump cult was and is their disregard for the rule of law.And we are not talking about driving six miles over the speed limit. It was/is their attacks upon the institutions, of Congress, of the courts. The violations of their oath to uphold the Constitution. And their reliance upon the para-military thugs -- who, by no coincidence, the Trumpites consider their "body guards." And even today, we hear MTG and her ilk claiming the January 6 thougs were mere tourists.

I share our friend's convictions that our democracy is confronted with a dangerous threat. But the rule of law is our best option.

[ancianita]

44. Oh

thank you for your thoughts; imo, the solution is not complicated -- meaning, we don't have to see this any way but legally; it puts MTG squarely in legal jeopardy; AOC's doing the right thing.

[onecaliberal]

2. After last week, she should do it immediately.

[Hekate]

3. AOC really should. And the Dem Caucus should back her up in every way possible....

Empty Greene needs to go home permanently, for every reason in the book.

[Hoyt]

4. Don't think we'd gain much from that. Now, a punch would be nice.

[Escurumbele]

15. A punch would be very nice but that would get whoever punches her in trouble and make a martir

out of her.

I am sure we all agree that as much as we may have violent feelings once in a while, violence is never a good choice.

[SeattleVet]

27. Mazie Hirono can handle it!

"How would you like a nice Hawiian punch?"

[babylonsister]

5. Great idea, for protection as well as emphasizing the cra cra. nt

[catrose]

6. I think AOC should, and I think MTG will ignore it, just like all the abusive partners.

As the Chix sing, she'll "walk right through that restraining order."

I hope the Sergeant at Arms, Capitol police, and other law enforcement will work to keep the next line from coming true.

Are other Democratic reps going to have to walk with AOC everywhere? Seems ridiculous but warranted.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

7. They vandalized AOC's guest book too?!

Good grief! Yes, AOC should do it!

You just know that Gangreene would violate it too, since she's a moron, so it would be a perpetual gift.

[multigraincracker]

8. Could they take her guns away?

Just a thought.

[Pinback]

9. Good. MQG should have to stay 1,000 miles away from Rep. Ocasio-Cortez. (nt)

[housecat]

11. perfect

[sheshe2]

12. Take that a step further...

Congress should issue the restraining order to keep her a 1000 miles from our house.

[BGBD]

10. There are protections in place

For congressmen who are traveling to or from the chambers to vote...I would assume a restraining order wouldn't restrain her from doing that, even if it put her in proximity to AOC.

Essentially she would be able to violate it freely every day and it would just give MTG something to brag and troll about.

If AOC is actually worried about her then she should hire a security detail.

This all goes back to the old saying. "Never let em see you sweat." Getting a restraining order is definitely letting them see you sweat.

[ancianita]

21. There is rule of law that MTG must honor.

The Law is what "never lets em see you sweat." Getting a restraining order is the protection that's in place. No one in Congress should have to "worry" about harassment and vandalism.
No duly elected official should have to hire a security detail in the halls of Congress.

[BGBD]

24. A restraining order

Isn't going to be able to stop MTG from going to and from the floor or being in the chamber at the exact same time AOC is. It just won't. It will make her an even bigger hero to the right though.

Besides, if she think MTG is actually a physical threat to her, then what good exactly is a piece of paper going to do? If she is willing to hurt her then she clearly doesn't care about what the law says on the matter.

[ancianita]

35. Breaking a restraining order

will call for police arrest. Cameras are everywhere there. You know that on that level, there's no immunity for MTG breaking a restraining order. We know she doesn't care what the law says, but we must. We can't operate the way her ilk do.

[BGBD]

39. Again

It wouldn't work, not practically or legally.

It would violate the speech and debate clause.

[ancianita]

40. Nope.

It works both practically and legally because this is about MTG's recorded harassment behavior and vandalism. Those are not speech and debate clauses, but actual legal violations.

I hope you can see that stooping to conquer is a slippery slope.

Bottom line, we are not like them and should not act like them.

[BGBD]

45. What legal violations?

Specifically? I haven't seen anything in either the guest book or the incidents a few weeks ago that would raise to the level of criminality. The only thing in DC she could even possibly get would be an anti-stalking order, and she would have to prove that MTG was stalking her. DC Stalking laws specifically say they do not apply to constitutionally protected activities, which most people are going to say following a congressman down the hall and shouting questions at her includes. Otherwise are politicians going to be able to take out restraining orders again anyone who shouts a question at them?

Besides, even if she managed to get a restraining order, it couldn't stop MTG from coming to, going from, or moving about the Capitol because of the speech and debate clause of the constitution. She is a sitting congressman and as such is protected from arrest or questioning except for some very narrow circumstances, none of which include violation of a restraining order.

[ancianita]

46. There is camera evidence of work harassment and vandalism. Those are misdemeanors if

she wanted to press charges. That evidence is enough to get a restraining order.

If you're a DC lawyer, school me on how there's no law on the books for either. Make sure you provide sources.

Once she gets a restraining order, it's on MTG to break it or not. AOC is then covered to press charges and a warrant issued.

We can go on about this all day. We'll see what happens.

[Escurumbele]

16. Restraining order is a good idea

Penalties For Violating A Protective Order
1. Protective order violations are usually charged as misdemeanor offenses.
2. A misdemeanor offense carries a penalty of up to one year in county jail, probation, fines of up to $1000.

[ancianita]

36. +1

Thanks.

[Sgent]

17. Not against the idea

but I would hate to be the judge on this one. There are some little used but strong protections for congress people, and I'm not sure that it would be (or could be) in force on the capital grounds. Similar issues came up with the DOJ searched "Dollar" Bill Jefferson and had to get the Speaker's permission.

[Trueblue1968]

19. can AOC sue GreenGunk

[BobTheSubgenius]

22. The worst thing about MTG?

Her district will keep sending her back to DC for as long as she cares to run.

[Blue Owl]

23. That this is even a topic of consideration...

is proof that MTG is unfit to be in office. Kick her out.

[ecstatic]

29. Are you kidding me? Who is in charge of that place?

Who is in charge of creating a safe workplace? Do something NOW!!!! This type of harassment would not be acceptable at any other place of business. It seems like anything goes these days. Insurrections and now bullying and harassment. It's way past time to clean house. NOW!

[SKKY]

32. This would make AOC look weak, IMHO...

...She's obviously living rent-free in Taylor Greene's head. She should just stay right where she is, and keep blowing her off. The more Taylor Greene attacks AOC, the crazier she looks.