United States – The most recent altercation was initiated by Ritchie Torres, a Democrat from New York, who criticized Jamaal Bowman, also a Democrat from New York, for holding an impassioned, expletive-filled speech on Saturday, calling it an ‘unhinged tirade’ and stating that this is not what a member of Congress should be, as reported by The Hills.
“The level of profanity here is so shocking as to be unbecoming of a Member of Congress,” Torres said on X. “There is nothing in Jamaal Bowman’s unhinged tirade that remotely resembles the decency of the people I know and represent in the South Bronx.”
Bowman’s Reelection Rally with Progressive Allies
Bowman’s reelection rally with Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders speaks for the progressives supporting Bowman in what seems like a tough primary for him.
The first race has been centered on the U.S.’s affiliation with Israel, with Bowman condemning the Israeli administration and his rival Westchester County Executive George Latimer supporting it. Latimer has been proven to have strong connections with AIPAC, an Israeli political lobbying organization that funds his activities.
“We are going to show f–king AIPAC, the power of the motherf–king South Bronx!” Bowman said at the rally. “People ask me why I got a foul mouth; what am I supposed to do? You’re coming after me! You’re coming after my family! You’re coming after my children! I’m not supposed to fight back?”
“We’re going to show them who the f–k we are!” he added, jumping around the stage.
Division Among Democrats
Bowman’s primary has divided the Democratic Party and progressives. Former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) is one of those who endorsed Latimer, which other progressives called a betrayal of an incumbent. Another well-known figure who supports Latimer is Hillary Clinton.
Torres’ criticism also depicts his severance from House progressives. He resigned from the Congressional Progressive Caucus earlier this year because of his attitude towards Israel. He has not endorsed any candidate in the race, although he has a history of threatening to publicly endorse Latimer, as reported by The Hills.
Potential Endorsement from Torres
He told Axios last week that he has what he calls a “general rule of not weighing in against a Congressional Democrat who has not weighed in against me.”
“But Bowman’s gratuitous attack on my character might cause me to rethink that rule. Stay tuned,” he said.