Pelosi calls for ethics, criminal investigations into Gosar

Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiSpending bill faces Senate scramble Christie on 2020 election: 'No matter where you stand, it is over' After a brutal election day, Democrats make a wise turn back to the center MORE (D-Calif.) is calling for a series of investigations into Rep. Paul Gosar Paul Anthony GosarRep. Gosar posts anime video showing him striking Biden, Ocasio-Cortez Greene granted permission to enter 'patriot wing' of DC jail to visit Jan. 6 defendants Subpoenas are a real worry for lawmakers facing Jan. 6 questions MORE after the Arizona Republican took to Twitter this week to advertise violence against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezRep. Gosar posts anime video showing him striking Biden, Ocasio-Cortez Ex-Clinton strategist: Va. results show Democrats 'have gone too far to the left on key issues for educated suburban voters' Pediatrician unveils challenge to GOP's Mace in South Carolina MORE (D-N.Y.) and President Biden Joe BidenNicaragua's Ortega set to win election amid international criticism Rep. Gosar posts anime video showing him striking Biden, Ocasio-Cortez Overnight Energy & Environment — Presented by ExxonMobil — Activists cry foul over COP26 draft MORE.

The Speaker is also urging House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy Kevin McCarthyRep. Gosar posts anime video showing him striking Biden, Ocasio-Cortez Trump to rally House Republicans as party turns eye to midterms McConnell: 2022 midterms will be 'very good election for Republicans' MORE (R-Calif.) to join Democrats in backing investigations into Gosar by both the House Ethics Committee and outside law enforcement agencies.

"Threats of violence against Members of Congress and the President of the United States must not be tolerated," Pelosi tweeted Tuesday. "@GOPLeader should join in condemning this horrific video and call on the Ethics Committee and law enforcement to investigate."

Threats of violence against Members of Congress and the President of the United States must not be tolerated. @GOPLeader should join in condemning this horrific video and call on the Ethics Committee and law enforcement to investigate. https://t.co/qX8kMbiZ8n — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) November 9, 2021

Gosar set off a firestorm of controversy on Monday when he tweeted an animated video depicting himself and other Republicans as heroic warriors fighting against Democrats, interspersed with footage of migrants arriving at the southern U.S. border.

The video features characters from a Japanese-style anime series, their faces replaced with pictures of Gosar and two other conservative firebrands — Reps. Lauren Boebert Lauren BoebertRep. Boebert does her version of Ocasio-Cortez's Met dress: 'Let's Go Brandon' Top Boebert challenger suspends campaign after redistricting Good Republicans in government may be democracy's last hope MORE (R-Colo.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene Marjorie Taylor GreeneGOP efforts to downplay danger of Capitol riot increase The Memo: What now for anti-Trump Republicans? Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she's meeting with Trump 'soon' in Florida MORE (R-Ga.) — who bound around with various weapons. In one scene, Gosar's character executes another character, doctored to depict Ocasio-Cortez, by striking her in the back of the neck with a sword.

In another, Gosar confronts Biden head-on with two swords drawn.

In promoting the video to his Twitter followers, Gosar asked, "Any anime fans out there?"

The video has sparked yet another national debate over speech and civility in political discourse, as well as the role of the tech giants in policing the content that appears under their labels. Twitter, facing backlash, declined to remove Gosar's video but has attached a warning label to it.

Gosar is already under fire for his role in promoting former President Trump Donald TrumpMeat industry groups pledge to meet Paris Agreement emissions targets by 2030 Judge tosses part of DC AG's suit against Trump inaugural committee Rep. Gosar posts anime video showing him striking Biden, Ocasio-Cortez MORE's lie that the 2020 election was stolen, and he is among the Republicans expected to be called to testify in the bipartisan investigation into the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

That attack has led to rampant distrust between the parties on Capitol Hill, where the fear of more violence is palpable even 11 months later. And other Democratic leaders quickly joined Pelosi in urging McCarthy to take action against Gosar for tweeting out the anime violence.

“In any other job in America, if a coworker made a video killing another coworker, that person would be fired," the four leaders of the Democrats' policy and communications team, Reps. Matt Cartwright Matthew (Matt) Alton CartwrightDemocrats on cusp of sweeping deal on Biden agenda House Democrats reintroduce bill to empower public sector unions I've seen the tragedy of Camp Lejeune — we can't wait any longer to help those impacted by toxic water MORE (Pa.), Debbie Dingell Deborah (Debbie) Ann DingellDemocrats look to establish green bank for clean energy projects Pelosi: Bill issues could be resolved by 'end of the day' House Democrats brush off Manchin MORE (Mich.), Ted Lieu Ted W. Lieu State Dept. approves first major Saudi arms deal under Biden Democrats fear Virginia is precursor to House drubbing Democrats say GOP lawmakers implicated in Jan. 6 should be expelled MORE (Calif.) and Joe Neguse Joseph (Joe) NeguseEquilibrium/Sustainability — Presented by Southern Company — What a leading biologist says will save humans Democrats push for boost in wildland firefighter pay, increased mental health benefits Honor our front-line responders MORE (Colo.), said Tuesday in a statement. "Mr. McCarthy needs to decide whether he will finally stand with the American people on the side of law and order or he will continue to support violence and chaos.”

Neither Gosar's office nor McCarthy's responded Tuesday to requests for comment.

Ocasio-Cortez responded Monday night in a tweet of her own, saying "a creepy member I work with who fundraises for Neo-Nazi groups shared a fantasy video of him killing me."

"And he’ll face no consequences," she added, "bc @GOPLeader cheers him on with excuses."

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerGOP digs in on blocking Biden diplomatic picks Sununu says he'll decide on Senate bid 'in the next week or so' Christie on 2020 election: 'No matter where you stand, it is over' MORE (D-N.Y.) was much more terse.

"What a disgusting video from a pathetic man," he said of Gosar.