Local News

'Couldn't Stay Silent': Congresswoman Lauren Boebert Defends Outburst During State Of The Union

March 2, 2022 / 7:17 AM MST / CBS Colorado

click to expand

(CBS4) - Congresswoman Lauren Boebert faced criticism for her reaction during part of President Joe Biden's State of the Union address Tuesday night. When the president spoke about fallen military servicemembers and the death of his son, Beau, a military veteran, the Colorado representative shouted "13 of them!"

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 01: U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) scream "Build the Wall" as U.S. President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol's House Chamber March 01, 2022 in Washington, DC. During his first State of the Union address Biden spoke on his administration's efforts to lead a global response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, efforts to curb inflation and bringing the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Evelyn Hockstein-Pool/Getty Images)

Boebert was referencing the 13 American servicemembers who died during the Abbey Gate attack in Afghanistan.

Boebert defended her actions saying she couldn't stay silent.

When Biden said flag draped coffins I couldn't stay silent. I told him directly he did it. He put 13 in there.

Our heroic servicemen and women deserve so much better.
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) March 2, 2022

Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat who represents Colorado's 6th Congressional District, shared his disapproval with his colleague's outburst.

"She certainly doesn't understand service and doesn't understand sacrifice. It's something she can't wrap her brain around," he said.

Crow went on to say Boebert "doesn't know what she's doing," and "is not interested in legislating or even knowing the issues or knowing the facts."

Lauren Boebert