A Republican House committee chair threatened to call the sergeant-at-arms Tuesday to silence a Democratic congressman who repeatedly called Elon Musk the president and referred to President Trump as the “grifter in chief.”
Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida refused to fully recant his words, leading the committee to sanction him by having his words “taken down” — a parliamentary move that means he lost his chance to speak during the proceedings.
When he continued to denounce Mr. Trump, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Rep. James Comer, threatened more serious punishment.
“I’m going to have the sergeant-at-arms remove him if he doesn’t refrain,” the Kentucky Republican said.
The action came as the committee debated Republicans’ plans for the panel this Congress.
Mr. Frost began by suggesting the committee’s investigative efforts should be aimed at “people like the grifter-in-chief Trump and President Musk.”
That drew objections from Republicans who said it violated House rules by “disparaging the president.”
Mr. Comer asked Mr. Frost to revise his remarks but he doubled down, repeating the offending words. Given a third chance, he only deviated slightly.
“President Musk and the President of the United States, Donald Trump, who is engaged in grifting of the American people, often use their public offices to enrich themselves,” Mr. Frost said.
Democrats rallied to him.
“Would you please read back to us the words that were disparaging? Because I didn’t hear them,” said Rep. Gerald Connolly, Virginia Democrat.
Mr. Comer ruled the words offensive and his ruling was upheld by a committee vote — but not before another fight broke out.
As she was voting to back Mr. Frost, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Texas Democrat, complained that there was no punishment for Republicans who “insulted people’s appearance” and challenged them to a fight.
Mr. Frost wasn’t done, making one last attempt to blast his colleagues.
“It’s despicable that this committee is going to silence me,” he said before being shouted down by Republicans and threatened with bodily removal by Mr. Comer.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.