Monday, Andrea Mitchell falsely claimed that it was unlawful for the White House to go after lawmakers for their policy positions. The official White House Twitter account posted several tweets on Monday, going after Democratic lawmakers for their policy positions concerning ICE and MS-13 members.
The White House called out specific lawmakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
.@SenWarren, why are you supporting criminals moving weapons, drugs, and victims across our nation’s borders? You must not know what ICE really does. Here is a link to help you out: https://t.co/5CiTKkIs4c
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 2, 2018
NBC’s Andrea Mitchell posted several tweets that were directed as a response to the White House, even going so far as to claim illegality in the White House calling out specific lawmakers.
Questionable on ethical and legal grounds to attack them from the official White House account https://t.co/nbARGvS6wA
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) July 2, 2018
White House official twitter account slams potential 2020 opponents over ICE FALSELY accusing @SenKamalaHarris of "supporting the animals of MS-13" and @SenWarren of "supporting criminals moving weapons, drugs and victims" across our borders. Raises questions of law and ethics
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) July 2, 2018
Re: White House tweets attacking Senators: Section 1352(a) of Title 31: No part of the money appropriated by any enactment of Congress shall..be used directly or indirectly to pay for any .. written matter... intended or designed to influence in any manner a Member of Congress
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) July 2, 2018
FBI’s Gabriel Malor later quoted her tweet, pointing out her errors.
Would it surprise anyone to know this isn't what 31 U.S.C. § 1352(a) is about? 3,000+ retweets for the lying reporter.
— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) July 2, 2018
Sec. 1352(a) doesn't say "influence in any manner." It says influence in connection with a list of contracting and financial actions.
https://t.co/Kn2iE2ktOr https://t.co/kSXZwWRpCg
Mitchell's NBC colleague Maria Shriver also responded to the White House in a tweet.
It is unprecedented and unsettling to see the verified @WhiteHouse @Twitter account attacking @SenWarren @SenKamalaHarris over their responses to ICE and the immoral separation and detainment of children and their parents at the border. https://t.co/J6dI4gpNs6
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) July 3, 2018
Dana Linzer, Managing Editor of Politics for NBC News and MSNBC, also weighed in on the debate.
Stunning. Official White House twitter account attacking and smearing a US Senator. https://t.co/RdBlTI4c90
— Dafna Linzer (@DafnaLinzer) July 2, 2018
The issue was discussed this morning on “Fox and Friends.”
“Got to be unprecedented then! Stunning that, only this White House, Steve would do that,” said Pete Hegseth, sarcastically.
“Apparently there has been some sort of memory loss because this happened during the Obama administration [too],” responded co-host Steve Doocey.
The Fox News hosts then went onto display and read the following Tweet which was archived from the Obama Administration.
"Oh boy, so not so stunning," responded Hegseth. There were even more archived tweets from the Obama Administration that, Fox News did not show.
Instead of acting to help millions of Americans, House Republicans are suing the President today. #DoYourJobHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/vvxzFj43yo
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) July 30, 2014
Republicans in Congress are choosing tax breaks for millionaires over meals for seniors: http://t.co/DRFsn5VCG0 pic.twitter.com/8GRGVnDFp7
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) March 5, 2013
RT if you agree: It's time for Republicans in Congress to prevent terror suspects from being able to buy a gun. pic.twitter.com/4iJapwEy3L
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) December 1, 2015