Report: Democrats are 'so angry' with Rep. Maxine Waters they would support censure effort against her

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) is not only facing backlash from Republicans and Judge Peter Cahill for her incendiary comments related to the Derek Chauvin trial, but she also reportedly angered her Democratic colleagues.

The development comes after House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) vowed to censure Waters.

What are the details?

According to Fox News reporter Chad Pergram, Democrats found Waters' comments "revolting" and there is "disgust" among the House Democratic caucus, which "metastasized" after Cahill publicly rebuked Waters.

"Congressional Democrats have a major problem with House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) and her 'confrontational' comments in Minnesota over the weekend," Pergram reported. "Fox is told that rank-and-file Democrats found what Waters said revolting. But that disgust among Democrats further metastasized after Hennepin, MN County Judge Peter Cahill criticized Waters from the bench, describing her remarks as 'disrespectful to the rule of law.'

In fact, some Democrats would reportedly support an effort to discipline Waters with a formal censure, Pergram reported.

But Fox is told that a lot of Democrats are angry at Waters, are concerned about the optics of potential violence being linked back to her and Democrats generally. Don't forget how many moderate Democrats were beside themselves following the midterms and the "defund the police" movement. With such a narrow majority, Democrats can only lose two votes on their side.

Fox is told that some Democrats could in fact support what one lawmaker termed a "reasonably worded" censure resolution to rebuke Waters. Plus, voting to punish Waters may well be good politics for some battleground district Democrats. One knowledgeable Democrat told Fox that some Democratic members are so angry at Waters now that they would relish the opportunity to censure her.

What is the background?

Over the weekend, Waters urged protesters in Minnesota to "get more confrontational" if Chauvin is found not guilty in the death of George Floyd.

"You got to make sure that they know we mean business," Waters said, also openly dismissing the curfew enacted by law enforcement.

In response, Judge Cahill, who is presiding over the Chauvin trial, blasted Waters, and said her comments could be used by the defense in an appeal to argue for a mistrial.

"I will give you that Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned," Cahill said after denying the defense's motion for a mistrial over Waters' remarks.

"This goes back to what I've been saying from the beginning. I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law, and to the judicial branch and our function," the judge added. "I think if they want to give their opinions they should do so in a respectful and in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution to respect a coequal branch of government."

"Their failure to do so is abhorrent!" he said.

What did Pelosi say?

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) outright dismissed criticism, and even defended Waters.

"No, I don't think she should apologize," Pelosi said Monday.

"Maxine talked about confrontation in the manner of the Civil Rights movement. I myself think we should take our lead from the George Floyd family. They've handled this with great dignity and no ambiguity or lack of misinterpretation by the other side," Pelosi explained.