Jim Jordan: ‘Scary’ that Jerry Nadler denies antifa violence in Portland

Rep. Jim Jordan is disturbed that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler denies that antifa is a real threat in Portland, Oregon.

“It’s scary that Jerry Nadler says that,” the Ohio Republican said Monday on Fox News @ Night with Shannon Bream. “The chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the committee that’s supposed to look out for the rule of law, the committee that’s supposed to be concerned about the Constitution and protecting basic rights and liberties and antifa, a terrorist organization, is anything but a myth.”

The Ohio Republication, who is the ranking member of the judiciary panel, was reacting to a viral video of Nadler claiming that antifa violence in Portland was a “myth.”

Following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police on Memorial Day, there have been constant demonstrations, some of which have turned violent. The Trump administration has sent federal law enforcement officials to the city to protect federal property, a move which has prompted an escalation in the unrest.

The Trump administration has specifically highlighted the alleged role that the far-left, anarchic antifa movement was playing in exacerbating violence across the country, with Attorney General William Barr repeatedly singling the group out by name and President Trump declaring his intent to designate it as a domestic terrorist group.

Nadler has previously remarked that antifa is just an “imaginary” boogeyman.

Jordan said downplaying antifa’s role in violence is unfair to the people who have been caught up in the rioting.

“Last weekend, officers blinded by these people using lasers, officers — go tell the officers who have been blinded, the officers often attacked: Ask them if antifa is a myth or an imaginary organization,” he said. “Ask … the journalist who was attacked in Portland over a year ago if they are an imaginary organization or some kind of myth. They are very real. They are very dangerous.”

Trump also criticized Nadler for the comments.

“’Nadler calls ANTIFA violence a MYTH.’” @foxandfriends They are Anarchists with miles of ‘tape’ showing their illegal activity. Jerry, blame it on Russia, Russia, Russia!” he tweeted on Tuesday.