Biden and Harris Both Helped Jussie Smollett Push False Hate Crime Claims in 2019
'What happened today to Jussie Smollett must never be tolerated in this country'
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Following the guilty verdict of actor Jussie Smollett, who was charged with staging a hate crime and lying to police, past support of his false claims came from none other than Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Biden tweeted in 2019:
"What happened today to @JussieSmollett must never be tolerated in this country."
"We must stand up and demand that we no longer give this hate safe harbor; that homophobia and racism have no place on our streets or in our hearts.
"We are with you, Jussie."
What happened today to @JussieSmollett must never be tolerated in this country. We must stand up and demand that we no longer give this hate safe harbor; that homophobia and racism have no place on our streets or in our hearts. We are with you, Jussie. https://t.co/o8ilPu68CM
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 30, 2019
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Vice President Kamala Harris also called the fake attack "modern-day lynching."
.@JussieSmollett is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. I’m praying for his quick recovery.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 29, 2019
This was an attempted modern day lynching. No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.
But Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi deleted her tweet calling Smollett the victim of a "racist and homophobic hate crime" as reports began to emerge that he staged the hoax.
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker echoed Harris, calling the attack a "modern-day lynching."
"The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I'm glad he's safe," Booker tweeted.
"To those in Congress who don't feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime– I urge you to pay attention."
The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I'm glad he's safe.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 29, 2019
To those in Congress who don't feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime– I urge you to pay attention. https://t.co/EwXFxl5f2m
Reverend Al Sharpton called for the guilty to "face the maximum" for the alleged crime.
The reported hate attack on my friend and brother, actor Jussie Smollett is despicable and outrageous. The guilty must face the maximum.
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) January 29, 2019
Meanwhile, Pete Buttigieg also jumped to Smollett's defence and used it to push for hate crime legislation.
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"While the struggle for basic hate crime legislation continues here in Indiana, this horrible attack calls all Americans to stand against hatred and violence in all its forms," the former South Bend, Ind. mayor tweeted.
While the struggle for basic hate crime legislation continues here in Indiana, this horrible attack calls all Americans to stand against hatred and violence in all its forms. https://t.co/AfXJt8DpOf
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 29, 2019
Others who jumped to Smollet's defence included:
- Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- Sen. Bernie Sanders
- Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot
See below:
Incredible stuff pic.twitter.com/IczNfxlU46
— Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) December 10, 2021
Neon Nettle reported that prosecutors accuse the Hollywood star of fabricating a hate crime hoax on himself for attention and to further his career.
The charges carry up to a three-year prison sentence per count if found guilty.
