Ronny Jackson/Twitter
Within the newest addition to the pantheon of tough-guy gun-toting GOP grandstanding movies, Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) spoke up in protection of gun rights on Monday in a clip of him wielding two assault rifles—one in every of which was geared toward his personal proper foot.
“I've a message for the Biden administration,” Jackson, the previous doctor to President Donald Trump, stated in his video shared on Twitter, which racked up over one million views in below 24 hours.
“For those who’re desirous about taking our ARs, you can begin right here in Texas. On behalf of all of the law-abiding gun homeowners within the state of Texas, I simply wish to say: come and get it.”
Captioning the video, Jackson added: “I'll NEVER hand over my firearms. I'll NEVER give up my AR-15. If Democrats wish to push an insane gun-grab, they'll COME AND TAKE IT!”
His impassioned protection of assault rifles got here on the identical day that a damning report was revealed explaining what an assault rifle did to 19 youngsters and two academics in a college in his state in Might. It was additionally the identical day a rifle-wielding gunman shot three individuals lifeless in a meals courtroom in an Indiana mall.
Jackson’s video got here forward of a Home vote this week on the primary assault weapon ban in almost three many years. If handed into regulation, the invoice would restrict the import and sale of semi-automatic weapons with sure “navy options,” however it might not name for the confiscation of weapons that fans already personal.
Social media customers reacted to Jackson’s present of pressure with each dismay and amusement, with some stating the harmful approach he was holding his rifles, at the least one in every of which gave the impression to be loaded. This isn’t the primary time the previous Navy admiral has are available in for ridicule.
Jackson joined the White Home Medical Unit as a doctor in 2006 and served below three presidents, nevertheless it was Trump who made him an ally and gave credence to Jackson’s political aspirations.
In 2018, Jackson curried favor with the then-president by utilizing a press briefing to say Trump was in “wonderful well being,” reward his “extremely good genes” and make the ridiculous assertion that “if he had a more healthy food regimen during the last 20 years, he may dwell to be 200 years previous.”
Trump was so enamored with Jackson that he nominated the great physician to grow to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. However Jackson finally withdrew himself from consideration for the job after a slew of accusations of wrongdoing made in opposition to him got here to mild. Jackson was reportedly identified amongst White Home medical workers because the “sweet man” for the best way during which he would hand out highly effective medicine to lawmakers “like sweet.” A searing 2021 report from the Protection Division’s inspector common additionally concluded that Jackson had smelled of alcohol whereas at work and had “disparaged, belittled, bullied, and humiliated” his subordinates, together with making sexual remarks a few junior feminine colleague. In response, Jackson stated he’d been “the topic of a political hit job as a result of I stood with President Trump.”
In Might, the Home choose committee investigating the assault on the Capitol requested Jackson about messages exchanged between members of the far-right Oath Keepers. The texts stated the group wanted to guard Jackson as a result of he had “crucial information.” Jackson refused to participate within the Congressional panel’s investigation, calling it “illegitimate” and a “ruthless campaign in opposition to President Trump and his allies.”
Jackson’s rifle-loving clip comes after ex-Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens launched a Senate marketing campaign video during which he wielded a shotgun, saying “We’re going RINO searching,” referring to “Republicans in title solely” who're despised by the hardcore MAGA proper.