The spokesman for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Drew Hammill, posted a comment on reports Pelosi elbowed and shoved the young daughter of newly elected Rep. Mayra Flores (R-TX) at a ceremonial swearing-in family photo session last week. Hammill does not deny the elbowing and shoving, but claims that Pelosi was trying to ensure the child was not hidden behind the Speaker in the photos.
Pelosi closed her hand into a fist as she elbowed and shoved the daughter of Mayra Flores.
Hammill commented on a Fox News report on the incident, saying, “It’s sad to see “news outlets” that know better misrepresent the Speaker’s effort to ensure Rep. Flores’ daughters wouldn’t be hidden behind her in all of the photos of such an important moment for their family.”
Hammill posted a video clip of the incident that shows Pelosi giving the child a sharp elbow shove that knocked the child unsteady on her her feet.
It’s sad to see “news outlets” that know better misrepresent the Speaker’s effort to ensure Rep. Flores’ daughters wouldn’t be hidden behind her in all of the photos of such an important moment for their family. https://t.co/Dm0oXtwF7V pic.twitter.com/KDyI4MfaOj
— Drew Hammill (@Drew_Hammill) June 27, 2022
Hammill posted a second video clip, “And here’s more footage of the Speaker graciously greeting Rep. Flores’ children and telling them about the room they are in.”
And here’s more footage of the Speaker graciously greeting Rep. Flores’ children and telling them about the room they are in. https://t.co/DNEEr4XbWH pic.twitter.com/gpJ5fXYEKr
— Drew Hammill (@Drew_Hammill) June 27, 2022
As The Gateway Pundit’s Cassandra Fairbanks reported, Flores defended her daughter in a comment posted Sunday night.
“I am so proud of my strong, beautiful daughter for not allowing this to faze her. She continued to smile and pose for the picture like a Queen. No child should be pushed to the side for a photo op. PERIOD!!”
I am so proud of my strong, beautiful daughter for not allowing this to faze her. She continued to smile and pose for the picture like a Queen.
No child should be pushed to the side for a photo op. PERIOD!! https://t.co/TA50EntDoq
— Mayra Flores (@MayraFlores2022) June 27, 2022
From an earlier TGP report: The older girl was standing next to Pelosi as photographers took pictures of the ceremony. At first, Pelosi looked down at the girl and defined her space with a light elbow touch to the girl’s left shoulder. In response the girl dutifully took one step away from Pelosi. But after posing for the mock swearing in with her right hand raised, Pelosi started broadly waving her hand in grand gestures as she often does while speaking. Pelosi again looked down at the girl and this time sharply elbowed her in the shoulder and gave her a shove. The girl swayed and moved one step away. Right after that however, the girl stood close to Pelosi as family photos were taken without being shoved again.
