By Allan Lengel
The Justice Department has sent a threatening letter to Democratic California Congressman Robert Garcia after he mocked Elon Musk last week and emphasized the importance of fighting for democracy.
The New Republic reports that Garcia and fellow Democrats on the House Delivering on Government Efficiency Subcommittee last week mocked Musk. And Garcia displayed a large picture of Musk, calling it a “dick pick” and jokingly referring to him as president.
Interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin took issue with Garcia’s comment on CNN later that day in which he said: “What the American public wants is for us to bring actual weapons to this bar fight. This is an actual fight for democracy.”
Martin sent Garcia a letter on Monday asking for clarification regarding that comment, telling Garcia, “This sounds to some like a threat to Mr. Musk – an appointed representative of President Donald Trump who you call a dick – and government staff who work for him.”
Martin’s letter asked for a response from Garcia by February 24, TNR reports.
Garcia posted the letter to his X account Thursday, asserting that “members of Congress must have the right to forcefully oppose the Trump Administration. I will not be silenced.”
He also wrote:
“No reasonable person would view my comments as a threat. We are living in a dangerous time, and elected members of Congress must have the right to forcefully oppose the Trump Administration.”
