House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calf.) on Monday said Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) has nothing to apologize for in response to criticism from Republicans over remarks she made in Minnesota over the weekend.
"No, she doesn't", Pelosi said when asked by a reporter if Waters needs to apologize for saying activists for racial justice need to "get more confrontational" when advocating for police reforms.
"That woman on the floor should be apologizing for what she said", Pelosi then said, referencing comments by Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), who spoke shortly after Pelosi gaveled the House into session for the day.
"Maxine talked about confrontation in the manner of the civil rights movement", Pelosi said, returning to Waters. "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. No, I don't think she should apologize".
Asked if the Waters comments could incite violence, Pelosi said, "No, absolutely not".
Waters on Sunday told a group of protesters and journalists in Brooklyn Center, Minn., where a 20-year-old Black man was shot and killed by a police officer last week, "We've got to make sure that they know that we mean business".
