Rangel: Let’s Criticize ‘Insane’ Gunman For Cop Shootings, Not De Blasio

FILE - In this June 7, 2012 file photo, Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill. When the results are counted this Tuesday, Americans are poised to resoundingly rehire roughly 350 ... FILE - In this June 7, 2012 file photo, Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill. When the results are counted this Tuesday, Americans are poised to resoundingly rehire roughly 350 of the 535 members of the House and Senate despite railing for months about an ineffective, bitterly divided legislature. The once-in-a-decade redrawing of congressional districts is one of the main reasons why so many lawmakers will return to Washington _ and the first election after that politically driven process is typically a high point _ but redistricting isn’t the only reason. The power of incumbency with its name recognition and cash advantage also is responsible. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File) MORE LESS

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) said Monday that anger over the fatal shooting of two New York City police officers in Brooklyn should be directed at the “insane” gunman, not at Mayor Bill de Blasio (D).

Appearing on MSNBC’s “The Rundown,” Rangel said that police union leaders should be giving interviews about how to prevent “insane” people from acquiring firearms rather than criticizing de Blasio in the press.

“Yes, we got problems in our family,” Rangel said, referring to the relationship between law enforcement, city government and residents. “But we shouldn’t be pointing fingers at each other when someone is murdered, especially by an insane person.”

MSNBC host Craig Melvin pointed out that while it’s been reported that the suspected gunman, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, was arrested 19 times and spent two years in prison, there’s been no evidence to date that Brinsley was clinically insane.

“I mean, you don’t have to go to school to understand that anyone that shoots his girlfriend, and then comes here and he shoots two cops and he’s screaming and yelling [is insane],” Rangel countered.

“The fact is that the guy is not thinking clearly,” he added. “You can say he has medical difficulties, mental difficulties, but two human beings were shot dead. We should not be pointing fingers at the mayor of the city of New York.”

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  1. Likewise, you don’t need a diagnosis to know that Republicans are insane. You can merely observe their behavior.

  2. Avatar for sufi66 sufi66 says:

    The really insane ones are blaming Obama.

  3. Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) said Monday that anger over the fatal shooting of two New York City police officers in Brooklyn should be directed at the “insane” gunman…

    …And, of course, the NRA, which works to keep all citizens well armed. Turns out that even two good guys with guns were unable to stop this one bad guy, who had but one.

  4. About time someone with some sense joins in on the conversation.

  5. Rangel is spot on.

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