Chuck Schumer makes a surprising statement about Maxine Waters' incitement of harassment

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) decried the call from Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) encouraging the harassment of members of the administration of President Donald Trump.

Here's what he said

Schumer spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate Monday in repudiation of Waters advocacy of political harassment.

"We all have to remember to treat our fellow Americans," Schumer declared, "all of our fellow Americans with the kind of civility and respect we expect will be afforded to us."

"I strongly disagree with those who advocate harassing folks if they don't agree with you," he said.

Not right, not American

"If you disagree with someone on something, stand up, make your voice heard, explain why you think they're wrong and you're right, make the argument," he continued. "Protest, peacefully. If you disagree with a politician, organize your fellow citizens to action and vote them out of office. But no one should call for the harassment of political opponents."

"That's not right," Schumer concluded, "that's not American."

"Bullying, name-calling, slander and nastiness"

"Now I understand those who look at the conduct of this president," he continued, "a man who habitually engages in bullying, name-calling, slander and nastiness for its own sake, and think we have to fight fire and fire."

"I know, I felt those emotions myself, I think we all do," he explained. "I understand those who are outraged at the hypocrisy of this president when he complains about bullying, harassment or nastiness when its used against him or his allies, and he use it as a regular tool almost every day."

"I'm outraged by that hypocrisy, that double standard that we seem to let this president get away with," he added.

"But the president's tactics and behavior should never be emulated," Schumer admonished, "it should be repudiated."

Cites Michelle Obama

Schumer quoted former first lady Michelle Obama, who said, "when they go low, we go high," and said that she offered an example of "a contrast of civility, honor and decency to President Trump's coarseness and meanness."

"The best solution," Schumer said, "is to win elections."

Watch video of Schumer's dissent:

Waters has been roundly criticized for appearing to encourage more harassment of members of the Trump administration during a rally Saturday. On Saturday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders reported that she had been asked to leave a restaurant over objections to the political policies she defended.