Colorado Republican Representative Lauren Boebert was widely mocked after she implored House Republicans to lead with "grace" once they take control of the chamber in January.
Boebert—one of the biggest reactionaries in Congress—issued the bizarre call while celebrating her narrow win in Colorado following an automatic recount that confirmed she had won an impressively close race against Adam Frisch, her Democratic opponent.
Now that Republicans have been "entrusted with the majority," Boebert wrote, "the party must now prove [they] can take the temperature down" in Washington, D.C. "by leading not only with strength but grace."
She also posted a video in which she elaborated on these thoughts in what amounted to a rather absurd statement given top Republicans vowed to initiate baseless investigations into the Biden administration once the new Congress is settled in.
You can see Boebert's tweet and the accompanying video below.
\u201cAll of the counties completed their recounts, and confirmed we've won this race. \n\nRepublicans have been entrusted with the majority and we must now prove we can take the temperature down in DC by leading not only with strength but grace.\u201d— Lauren Boebert (@Lauren Boebert) 1670804581
Boebert said:
"Hey everyone, I'm happy to report that all the counties in Colorado's 3rd District have completed their recounts. We've won this election as expected and I'm headed back to represent you in Washington, D.C. I can't thank you enough for all of your support."
"I'm so thrilled the Republicans will now hold the gavel in the People's House and I'm thrilled to be representing you in that majority. Since the day I announced I was running for Congress, this has been about doing everything I can to help get our country back on track and put a hard stop to the far left's move toward socialism."
"It's our responsibility now and my responsibility personally to take the opportunity you've entrusted me with and make you proud, to lead with strength, to lead with grace, and to work hard every day to represent you the very best way I know how."
"That starts with a promise: A promise to you to be a good listener, to take a deep breath and help take the temperature down in D.C. After all, the weight this responsibility of being the majority holds requires discipline and targeted focus. It's time we show how to get real work done for the people."
"We as Republicans must now prove we deserve to be in the majority and to stand for the policies to help every American overcome challenges so we can all live our very best lives."
"I haven't lived a perfect life. I haven't taken a common path to get here, far from it, in fact. But the lessons I've learned along the way motivate me to stand up for our conservative principles, to be a strong voice for freedom, and always do everything I can to help secure our God-given rights."
"I know in my heart this is a worthy mission, so thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and allowing me the opportunity to represent you, to represent our state, our communities, and the U.S.A."
Boebert ended her video by hugging one of her sons, who wishes Coloradans a "Merry Christmas."
On the surface, Boebert's message appeared sincere, but anyone who has followed her political career thus far knows she has no interest in bipartisanship or "turning down the temperature" as she has urged Republicans to do.
She has openly embraced fascist rhetoric, particularly former Republican President Donald Trump's fictions about the 2020 general election being stolen, and has vowed to obstruct the Biden administration at every turn.
In the last couple of days alone, Boebert has accused the Biden administration of "enabling a humanitarian crisis at our border," has referred to Dr. Anthony Fauci—the nation's leading expert on infectious diseases—as "anti-science," and has called on her fellow conservatives to prioritize "OFFENSE not DEFENSE."
No one is buying Boebert's plea for Republicans to lead with "grace"—and they let her know it.
\u201cYou and grace are mutually exclusive\u201d— Tom Colicchio (@Tom Colicchio) 1670884995
\u201cTake the temperature down? You are one of the vile treasonous screaming harpies who have inflamed the fascist rhetoric! You belong in jail, not congress.\u201d— Hedy Salazar (@Hedy Salazar) 1670868019
\u201cFunny how the MAGA Republicans accept the Election results when they win. #Hypocrites #GOPLies\u201d— Po Murray (@Po Murray) 1670849243
\u201cYou participated in Trump's coup attempt.\u201d— Irish Diplomacy \u262e\ufe0f (@Irish Diplomacy \u262e\ufe0f) 1670854624
\u201cWith "grace"?! Who're you trying to fool?\u201d— Dan the Doomed (@Dan the Doomed) 1670884871
\u201cYou know nothing about grace. You have done nothing but lie and spout nonsense for 2 years.\u201d— Katydid46 Standing with Ukraine (@Katydid46 Standing with Ukraine) 1670827380
\u201cThe words, "Boebert" and "grace" have never been, nor will they ever be, mutually synonymous. Never, ever.\u201d— Tim Campbell (@Tim Campbell) 1670846122
\u201cI got my first belly laugh of the day out of this post. I do not believe that Boebert has it in her to "prove we can take the temperature down in DC by leading not only with strength but grace." I would really like to be wrong about this.\u201d— Claudette Konola (@Claudette Konola) 1670847031
\u201cYou were nearly defeated in a race most thought you were supposedly guaranteed to win by a landslide. Could it be because your constituents are tired of your antics?\u201d— \ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc94Deborah My Friends Call Me Slayer \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udc09\u2694\ufe0f\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udc94\ud83d\udc99 (@\ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc94Deborah My Friends Call Me Slayer \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udc09\u2694\ufe0f\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udc94\ud83d\udc99) 1670859996
Although Frisch conceded to Boebert in the Colorado race three weeks ago, his loss affirmed her remarkably slim victory.
Boebert defeated Frisch by a margin of just 550 votes, according to a press release from Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.
In a statement, Frisch said that he had “hoped for a different outcome,” but called the close race a “moral victory” for the district. Frisch said the close election "showed the nation that extremist politicians are not invincible, and that we can come together to have real conversations about issues that are important to our families, our businesses, and our communities."
