Bremerton councilmember stands by assertion that Jeff Sessions is ‘racist’ after arrest

Update: Bremerton City Councilmember Leslie Daugs spoke with KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson about her arrest in Washington D.C. and criticisms of her swearing during the confirmation hearing of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions as attorney general. And while she stood by her statement that Sessions is a “racist,” she could not come up with any concrete reasons for that allegation that satisfied Dori.

When asked how she knows Sessions is racist, Daugs responded: “Based on his past history and the ban of Muslims.”

When Dori asked for a specific example of his racism, she responded: “Well, he’s supporting of Trump’s ban of Muslims.”

To which Dori replied: “First of all, Muslims, that’s not a race, that’s a religion. And there is no Muslim ban, OK, so you cannot backup why you say he is a racist.”

Dori also criticized Daugs, who is middle-school teacher and president of local  Service Employees International Union chapter, for using such profanity in that kind of public setting as representative of the City of Bremerton.

“I wasn’t representing the City of Bremerton, I was representing a citizen of the United States,” she said.

“So, it’s not my finest hour but I can honestly say I’m probably not the only elected official who’s done this and, unfortunately, it wasn’t a moment I had planned or had planned what I was gonna say. It happened and that’s why I have a consequence that I’m dealing with.”

Dori, however, had difficulty understanding the councilmember’s argument. He also had to brief her on what people can and cannot say on live radio — which includes the words she spoke in D.C.

Listen below for the full context.

Original story: Bremerton City Councilmember Leslie Daugs was arrested Tuesday in Washington D.C. for shouting a cuss word during a confirmation hearing.

According to the Kitsap Sun, Daugs yelled, “This is bull…” while the Senate Judiciary Committee was debating the nomination of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions for attorney general.

Related: Washington politicians oppose Trump AG appointee Jeff Sessions

She was arrested by Capitol Police, along with three others for “disruption of Congress.”

If convicted, Daugs faces a maximum penalty of $500 and six months in jail.

She has a Feb. 15 court date.

There’s no word on what impact her arrest might have on her position on Bremerton’s City Council.

The Sun reports that Daugs blamed two men for provoking her outburst. She described the men as “strong supporters” of President Donald Trump who high-fived and fist-bumped each other as Republicans praised Jeff Sessions. Sessions has been criticized by Democrats, who question whether he will be committed to civil rights.

Daugs reportedly said: “All their little antics went unnoticed. And my antic was noticed.”

As the Sun points out, it is against the law to “utter loud, threatening, or abusive language, or to engage in any disorderly or disruptive conduct” at the Capitol.

Daugs and the other three arrested during the hearing weren’t the only ones to voice their concerns over Sessions. The Associated Press reports there were “angry exchanges” between Republican and Democrats before Sessions received the approval for attorney general from the Judiciary Committee by an 11-9 vote.

The Alabama Republican is expected to be confirmed by the full Senate.

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