Michigan House Democrats Seek To Censure Republican Lawmaker

Detroit MI

14 January, 2021

8:26 AM

Description

LANSING, MI — Michigan House Democrats on Thursday morning said they intend to introduce resolutions to censure Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford) following the Republican state representative's involvement in President Donald Trump's insurrection Jan. 6 on Capitol Hill. Maddock, House Democrats said, should be censured for his "continued attempts at undermining our democracy for fomenting election conspiracy theories and assisting with the heinous attack on the U.S. Capitol." "Rep. Matt Maddock is a leading Michigan voice in this movement to undermine the legitimate election of President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and continues to sow discord in our democratic processes," Michigan Democratic state Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D- Hamtramck), who will introduce one of the resolutions, said Thursday. "For months and without apology, Rep. Maddock has perpetuated conspiracy theories and election fraud lies, which culminated in the seditious acts at the U.S. Capitol last week. Yesterday, the U.S. House impeached President Donald Trump. Now, the Michigan House must do our job and discipline Rep. Maddock." Maddock has been said to have been at the Jan. 6 riots on Capitol Hill but told the Detroit News that he did not attend the riots but rather a peaceful event the day before. The riots were deadly, leaving at least five people dead and more than a dozen arrested. They also prompted the second impeachment of President Donald Trump. Further scrutiny came Maddock's way when he and his wife reportedly joined a Facebook group where members discussed the possibility of a civil war. The resolutions call on a House select committee to be formed to examine what the Democrats are deeming the misconduct of Maddock, citing several incidents that warrant censure. Those incidents include joining in the Texas v. Pennsylvania lawsuit challenging Michigan's election results as well as joining a group that attempted to enter the Michigan Capitol on Dec. 14 and contest the counting of Michigan's electoral votes. House Democrats also cited Maddock signing onto another federal lawsuit that aimed to require state legislatures — not electors — to certify the results of presidential elections. He also signed onto a letter to Vice President Mike Pence ahead of the Joint Session of Congress asking him to decertify the Nov. 3 general election results and delay the counting of the electoral votes. Maddock also spoke to the crowd of Trump supporters before the attack on the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6, furthering misinformation of a fraudulent election, Democrats said. "Rep. Matt Maddock has participated in all of the inciteful rhetoric that has stirred the nation to the boiling point where our nation's Capitol was attacked and Capitols around the country – including Michigan's – are on high alert anticipating more violence in the days ahead," Michigan Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Twp) said. "This censure would be a vital first step in restoring faith in the Michigan House of Representatives where he is a sitting member." The resolutions will officially be introduced during the House session on Jan.19. "It's clear by his actions that Rep. Maddock does not believe in the very oath to uphold the Constitution that he took yesterday," House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Twp) said. "That is why I have repeatedly called on House Speaker Jason Wentworth to take action if Rep. Maddock and all 18 House Republican members refuse to publicly disavow their disgraceful actions."