Billings legislator insists Constitution says it's OK to shoot socialists
A Billings Republican legislator said Saturday he believes the U.S. Constitution calls for the shooting or jailing of those who identify as socialists.
State Rep. Rodney Garcia, from House District 52 on the South Side, first made a statement in the form of an unprompted question at a state party gathering in Helena Friday meant to kick off election season and offer training for party members and candidates.
In his question after a speech by former Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, who was Montana's representative in the U.S. House for two years, Garcia said he was concerned about socialists "entering our government" and socialists "everywhere" in Billings, before saying the Constitution says to either shoot socialists or put them in jail.
After Zinke responded with a non sequitur "You know, Montana's a great state," Garcia said back: "We have to do something."
Zinke's answer to Garcia didn't engage in Garcia's statement and pivoted to talk about the former Secretary's effort to open satellite offices of the Interior department in the western part of the U.S.
On Saturday, a reporter asked Garcia to clarify his remarks.
"So actually in the Constitution of the United States (if) they are found guilty of being a socialist member you either go to prison or are shot," Garcia said.
Garcia could not to point to where in the Constitution it says socialists could be shot or jailed.
Asked to clarify if he thought it was fair to shoot or jail a socialist, including those who live in Montana, Garcia said yes.
"They're enemies of the free state," Garcia said. "What do we do with our enemies in war? In Vietnam, (Afghanistan), all those. What did we do?"
"I agree with my Constitution," Garcia said. "That's what makes us free. We're not a democracy, we're a Republic Constitution."
Garcia said he views what he sees as an influx of socialism in Montana as a "very dangerous" situation and that socialism has destroyed countries like Venezuela.
"They're teaching that to kids. Thank God my grandkids know it's wrong because I teach them. And it's a very dangerous situation," Garcia said.
Garcia added he believes socialism is growing, citing advertising he says is done by socialists on Facebook.
The Montana Democratic Party on Saturday evening released a statement decrying Garcia.
"Rodney Garcia has brazenly flaunted his conviction for a domestic dispute, called single moms deadbeats, and was only elected because he created an illegal campaign cash scam. Now he's publicly calling for people to be shot," said party chair Robyn Driscoll, adding she thinks candidates who were at the event should condemn Garcia.
