The defense attorney for Derick Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer on trial for murder in the death of George Floyd last year, filed a motion for a mistrial in light of Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ (D-CA) comments to protesters about the trial. Eric Nelson described Waters’ words as calling for “threatening acts of violence” in relation to the case.

Waters told a group of protesters on Saturday that, “We’re looking for a guilty verdict. And we’re looking to see if all of the talk that took place and has been taking place after they saw what happened to George Floyd, if nothing does not happen, then we know that we’ve got to not only stay in the street, but we’ve got to fight for justice.” Waters called on protesters to “get more confrontational” if Chauvin is not convicted.

Judge Peter Cahill said that he was aware of Waters’ comments and “the unacceptability of anything less than a murder conviction and talk about being confrontational.” He went on to criticize Waters for her comments. “This goes back to what I’ve been saying since the beginning,” Cahill said. “I wish elected official would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner that is disrespectful of the rule of law and to the judicial branch and our function. I think if they want to give their opinions, they should do so in a respectful [way] 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, I think, is abhorrent.” Cahill denied the motion for a mistrial, claiming that he did not think the jurors were aware of Waters’ remarks, and that “a Congresswoman’s opinion really doesn’t matter a whole lot.” However, Judge Cahill did concede to defense that, “Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned,” 

Naturally, Republicans blasted Waters’ comments as reprehensible and inciting of violence. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) introduced a resolution to have Waters expelled from Congress. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said, “Maxine Waters is inciting violence in Minnesota — just as she has incited it in the past. If Speaker Pelosi doesn’t act against this dangerous rhetoric, I will bring action this week.

And just as certainly on cue, Democrats defended Waters. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) insisted that Waters was not inciting violence, saying, “No, I don’t think she should apologize. Maxine talked about confrontation in the manner of the civil rights movement.”

I am not a fan of Maxine Waters. She hangs with anti-Semite and racist Louis Farrakhan; her family has profited from her political connections, resulting in multiple ethics investigations; she challenged the results of the 2004 and 2016 elections, demanding that the Electoral College votes of WY and OH not be counted; said she would never forgive Blacks who voted for Trump (as if they need her permission or forgiveness); she has done little for the people she represents in Congress, and doesn’t even live in the Congressional district she represents, choosing instead to live in a $6 million dollar mansion well outside the boundaries of her poverty-stricken district. So, there’s not much sympathy here for Waters. Still, I would hardly describe her call for more “confrontation” as inciting violence. Violence and confrontation are not synonyms. Even still, Waters ought to be condemned just for opening her mouth about the trial. She clearly thinks herself important and influential, but what business does a Congresswoman from California have in traveling to another state to comment about how that state carries out its judicial process and demanding, of all things, a particular verdict in a criminal trial? Obviously, Waters has no faith in the people or judicial process of Minnesota, and it is beyond the pale for her to demand a particular verdict. Hopefully, Cahill is correct in his assessment that nobody really cares about the opinion of a member of Congress, or at least of this member of Congress. The best thing Waters could do for the country right now is to go home to her California mansion and keep quiet.

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.