One rule for Nancy…..Pelosi removes her face mask for photo in violation of her OWN policy and a day after Capitol Police said they would arrest anyone not wearing one
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is facing criticism after she removed her mask for a photo op with newly sworn-in Texas Rep. Jake Ellzey (R)
- This comes just one day after Capitol Police published a memo stating they would ask people in the House who were not wearing a face mask to leave
- Video of Pelosi removing her mask has gone viral, prompting social media users to call her a hypocrite
- Pelosi faced backlash from Republicans earlier this week after she reinstated the House floor mask mandate for everyone, including those fully vaccinated
- Three lawmakers have already been fined $500 each for violating the mandate
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) is facing criticism after she removed her mask for a photo op which allegedly violates the Capitol Police’s mask guidance.
Video shows Pelosi removing her face covering to take a picture with Texas’ newest congressman, Rep. Jake Ellzey (R).
Earlier this week, Pelosi faced backlash from several Republicans after she reinstated the House floor mask mandate for everyone, including those fully vaccinated.
Pelosi’s photo op comes just one day after Capitol Police published a memo stating they would ask people who were not wearing a face mask to leave.
Officers were ordered to arrest visitors and staff who refuse to wear a mask on the House side of the Capitol complex; the policy did not apply to lawmakers who refuse to wear masks.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is facing criticism from colleagues after she removed her mask for a photo op, as seen above
Pelosi was photographer with Rep. Jake Ellzey (pictured with his hand on the bible) and his family following his swearing in ceremony
Although Pelosi, who was outside the bounds of the House chambers, only removed her mask for a few seconds, video of the incident has gone viral, according to Fox News.
The footage shows Pelosi standing with Ellzey, his wife and their two children.
Someone off-camera suggested the group remove their masks for a photo. Pelosi, followed by Ellzey and his family, obliged.
Social media users have called Pelosi out for the incident.
‘Ignored your own Mask Mandate for a Photo OP, REALLY…’ @Dmoney53 tweeted.
‘Was she arrested?’ questioned @GraceGotYou ‘Pelosi Breaks Her Own Mask Mandate For A Photo Op.’
‘Nail her, fine her, shame her and ar_rest her!!!’ echoed @AreYouAwaQe.
Social media users have are calling Pelosi out for the incident
The incident occurred after Ellzey’s swearing in ceremony.
He was the winner of a special election to fill Rep. Ron Wright’s House seat. Wright passed away in February at age 67 after contracting COVID-19. He had also been battling lung cancer. It is unclear if he had been in remission before his death.
Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger issued a memo to House staff on Thursday indicating that officers would be enforcing the mandate and that violators could be arrested.
In response, several Republicans blasted Pelosi, whose directive they say is responsible for the memo.
‘Madam Speaker, your insane power grab is showing,’ Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted in response to the mandate.
‘Today I’m not wearing a mask outside of the chamber b/c I follow science — not Pelosi. Come and get me.’
The incident with Pelosi comes just one day after Capitol Police published a memo stating they would ask those who were not wearing a face mask to leave
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said he would rather be issued a fine than follow the mandate.
‘This is INSANE. Might as well come into my office and arrest my entire staff. We are not wearing masks,’ he said.
‘I support the Capitol Hill Police, but the Chief of Police made a mistake here. The physician and the chief of police don’t have this authority.’
Massie, along with Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL) and Ralph Norman (R-SC), were all fined $500 each for violating the policy.
Fox News reported that future fines could reach $2,500.
Massie also joined Norman, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), and several others in a lawsuit against Pelosi over the order.
In response, several Republicans blasted the memo, which they say was a directive by Pelosi
A group of Republican lawmakers have filed a lawsuit against Pelosi over the mask mandate