In a speech to federal employees on Tuesday, U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter, D-Oregon, made headlines for the first time when she ordered President Trump to, in her own words, flap off.
Shortly after Dexter took the stage, the aforementioned phrase was uttered: “I’ve been told I have 30 seconds, so I am going to tell you that we do have to (unprintable) Trump.” I don’t swear in public very often.
Dexter went on, “Please don’t tell my kids that I just said that.”
Based on the cheers and laughter shown in the clip, it appears that everyone in the audience understood what Dexter was saying.
However, the flaming phrase serves as both a recommendation and a malediction, just like a lot of other four-letter phrases. Numerous media outlets, such as The Daily Show and countless social media users, saw the humorous potential in those various meanings.
Dexter stated in a phone interview from Washington, D.C., on Thursday that she has no apologies for the words she used and that her voters in the 3rd District of Oregon expect no less.
“We must demonstrate and reflect back the outrage and frustration that people are experiencing because this isn’t a normal time,” she told The Oregonian/OregonLive. To be honest, my only wish is that I had uttered the line with greater conviction.
As a pulmonology specialist, Dexter is no stranger to politics. She won a fierce primary to succeed former U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer after serving four years in the Oregon House of Representatives, where Democrats had a majority, in contrast to Washington.
Her district includes Hood River County, the northern portion of Clackamas County, and Portland east of the Willamette River.
Dexter’s clear Stop Musk Act, which would shield federal employees from reprisals for defying illegal orders from Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur vying for control of the government, has put him on the national scene since entering office in January.
Then, on February 7, she was among 20 other members of Congress, including fellow Democrat U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, who were barred by armed guards from entering the U.S. Department of Education headquarters.
According to Dexter, they obviously believed they could physically block the efforts of those who represent Americans and carry out the tasks necessary to finance the Education Department’s operations.
Naturally, viral popularity is seldom something that happens when one least expects it.
(Notably, many male politicians use vulgar language and are frequently rewarded for it.)
Anyway, there’s no doubt that Dexter’s two college-age kids have seen the video of their mother cursing.
According to Dexter, one wag in the family group chat stated: They liked the idea, just not the way it was carried out.
For The Oregonian/OregonLive, Zane Sparling reports on court proceedings and breaking news. You may contact him at [email protected], 503-319-7083, or pdxzane.
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