“My message to Kevin McCarthy is: take all of her committee’s duties … also, don’t support her when she runs for re-election again and try to make her a primary. If you say this isn’t your party, actually call it and hold it accountable, “Hogg told CNN’s Alisyn Camerota on” New Day. ”
He continued: “Republicans always act as if they are the party of decency and respect. But would the party of decency and respect question whether or not there were school shootings or not? They would harass the survivors of those shootings for having different opinions than theirs. “I don’t think so. And if Kevin McCarthy doesn’t think so, he really needs to get up and do something about this congresswoman.”
Greene, who was assigned to the House Education and Work Committee, faced requests to resign after reports that she agreed with comments calling the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School a “false flag” operation, which refers to acts designed by perpetrators must appear to have been performed by other individuals or groups. Hogg survived the shooting and has since become a supporter of stricter gun regulations, co-founding March for Our Lives.
In the video, Greene follows Hogg, 18 at the time, as he walks towards the United States Capitol and is heard making baseless statements while she asks him questions about gun rights and how he managed to meet with senators. Hogg continues walking without addressing Greene.
“He’s a coward,” says Greene at the end of the video as Hogg walks away, claiming that his activism was funded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros, who is often the subject of far-right conspiracy theories, and other liberals. “He cannot say a word because he cannot defend his position.”
Greene did not apologize in a statement to CNN, saying the video was made while she was in Washington, “going from one position to another in the Senate to oppose the radical gun control agenda that David Hogg was pushing.”
Hogg reflected on his meeting with Greene on Thursday, telling Camerota that he was trying to “keep a straight face” and practice mindfulness meditation that helps him deal with PTSD and ADHD.
“Sometimes, you know, as I was told growing up, it is better not to respond to the attackers and just walk away,” said Hogg.
He also said that he “absolutely” felt it was a threat when Greene said in the video that she was carrying a gun, but said to himself “if they shoot me, they prove my point.”
“And the reality is that they cannot kill a movement,” he told Camerota.
Mark Bednar, a McCarthy spokesman, told CNN in a statement on Wednesday that his comments are “deeply disturbing” and that the California Republican “plans to have a conversation with Congresswoman about them”.
This story has been updated with additional comments and basic information.
CNN’s Paul LeBlanc contributed to this report.