'ACQUITTED': Taylor Greene Is Victorious

She issues defiant tweet after judge, Georgia official declare she can run for reelection
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 23, 2022 9:02 AM CDT
Updated May 8, 2022 6:01 AM CDT
Highlights From Greene's Testimony on Eligibility to Run
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks during her hearing in Atlanta on Friday.   (AP Photo/John Bazemore, Pool)

Update: Marjorie Taylor Greene can run for Congress again. After a judge in Atlanta rejected a lawsuit on Friday that would have prevented it, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger signed off on the ruling hours later, reports NBC News. Opponents had filed suit, arguing that the conservative Greene should be ineligible because, they say, she is guilty of "insurrection" with regard to the Capitol riot. State Administrative Law Judge Charles Beaudrot said voters should be the ones to decide that. Taylor Green's one-word tweet in response: "ACQUITTED." Our original story from April 23 follows:

Marjorie Taylor Greene ended up testifying for three hours on Friday in an Atlanta courtroom as part of her fight to be able to run for reelection to Congress, reports CNN. In an unprecedented legal challenge, her critics say she should be kicked off the ballot because she engaged in "insurrection" with comments made before the Capitol riot. Greene testified that she never condoned violence and that her comments have been distorted by her critics and the media. A ruling from the judge in the case is expected in the next few weeks. Some highlights:

  • Recall: In her testimony, Greene repeatedly denied remembering tweets or statements made before the riot, reports the Washington Post. Asked whether she urged President Trump to impose martial law to remain in power, she answered that she didn't recall. “So you’re not denying you did it?” asked attorney Andrew G. Celli Jr. “You just don’t remember?” “I don’t remember,” Greene said.
  • Victim: Greene said she herself was a victim of the day's violence, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I was scared. I was very scared. I was concerned. I was shocked, shocked, shocked, absolutely shocked,” Greene said of that day.

  • Video: Greene was asked about a since-deleted video in which she urged people to “flood the Capitol building, flood all the government buildings. ... “We can do it peacefully,” Greene said. “We can. I hope we don’t have to do it the other way. I hope not. But we should feel like we will if we have to, because we are the American people.” Greene said she didn't recall making the statements.
  • Testy: The exchanges grew heated at times, including during questioning over a Greene tweet that urged protesters to show up at the Capitol. “You’re speculating on why I’m tweeting that,” she said. “Ms. Greene, I’m just asking questions,” responded Celli. “And I’m just answering them,” she responded.
  • Pelosi: Greene's Facebook account once liked a comment suggesting that Nancy Pelosi be shot in the head, but Greene said she didn't remember doing that and said anyone on her staff might have been responsible, per the AP.
  • Disavowal: “I never mean anything for violence,” Greene said at one point over her statements. “None of my words, never ever, mean anything for violence.”
(More Marjorie Taylor Greene stories.)

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