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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (archive picture): enemy image for many republicans
Photo: Susan Walsh / AP
For a not inconsiderable number of the US Republicans there is a favorite target in the opposing camp: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the rest of the left-wing liberal »Squad«.
The attacks often cross clear boundaries, slide into sexism or racism.
This also applies to Paul Gosar, who is considered an avid supporter of ex-President Donald Trump.
The US House of Representatives has now formally reprimanded the MPs for publishing a video glorifying violence in a rare move.
The Congress Chamber voted on Wednesday (local time) with a majority of Democrats in favor of disciplinary action against Republican MP Paul Gosar from the state of Arizona.
He is also losing his committee seats in the Chamber because of the spread of the video.
Such a formal reprimand shows Parliament's disapproval of the misconduct of an MP and is rarely issued.
References of this type are not often used
In the history of the Congress Chamber, such a reprimand has only been pronounced against 23 members since the 19th century - most recently in 2010, before that in 1983. Gosar had to appear in the center of the plenary hall to announce the reprimand - this is traditionally part of the disciplinary measure.
Gosar himself complained that it was a misrepresentation.
He did not threaten anyone and did not call for violence.
A few days ago the Republican had distributed a one and a half minute video on Twitter that contained comic scenes in which he attacked Democratic MP Ocasio-Cortez and Democratic President Joe Biden as a superhero.
The tweet has since been deleted.
With the sword against the Democrats
In the clip, the Republican hit his congressional colleague Ocasio-Cortez, who was portrayed as a giant, with a blow in the neck.
Blood spurted.
In another scene, the MP stormed Biden as a comic book hero with two swords.
In the video, Gosar is stylized as a savior fighting crime, illegal immigration and drug smuggling.
The clip had sparked outrage among the Democrats.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday it was unacceptable for MPs to joke about killing each other or threatening the president.
Ocasio-Cortez warned that calling for violence against colleagues would lead to violence in society.
The Republican minority leader in the Chamber, Kevin McCarthy, accused the Democrats of double standards and abuse of power.
jok / dpa