Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has suggested that the U.S. is tired of being "browbeaten by a bunch of crazy left-wing radicals" while claiming they would "be gone" if met with any real opposition.
Speaking to Fox News' Sean Hannity, Gingrich discussed two recent incidents involving people confronting moderate Democratic Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin because of their opposition to Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion social spending bill.
On Sunday, Sinema was challenged by activists from the Living United for Change (LUCHA) organization as she exited a classroom at the Arizona State University in Phoenix.
Video shows that the left-wing group followed Sinema into a public bathroom and continued to urge her to pass the bill even after she entered and locked a bathroom stall.
The incident followed days of protest last week by activists in kayaks who paddled up to Manchin on his houseboat in Washington, D.C. to confront him about why he is not backing the bill.
Gingrich told Fox News that the two incidents involving Sinema and Manchin show the "totalitarian left" are currently "playing with fire."
He added that the recent chants of "f**k Joe Biden" which have been heard at stadiums and other public events in recent weeks are proof that there are a "lot more of us than there are these crazed radicals."
"And if we ever decide to respond in kind, they'll be gone," he said.
Manchin said he will not vote for the "Build Back Better," unless it is cut by more than half to $1.5 trillion and also brings in the the Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal programs from covering abortion expenses.
Sinema, who previously outraged progressives and others on the Left by dramatically making a thumbs down gesture while voting against a minimum wage increase amendment to Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill, has not specifically said why she is against the reconciliation spending package.
Gingrich told Fox News that he "can't quite figure out what Manchin is doing" because the Democrats are never going to include the Hyde Amendment in any bill.
He described Sinema as someone who the Democrats "can't pressure very much," adding she was elected in Arizona where other "mavericks" such as John McCain and Barry Goldwater have held office.
"She's perfectly in that kind of tradition, but the big government socialists are desperate," Gingrich said.
"And that's what you're seeing is desperation, which I think the rest of the country is beginning to react to. And that's why you're getting these chants in football stadiums and at Talladega.
"The average American is fed up with being browbeaten by a bunch of crazy left wing radicals."
In a statement on Monday, Sinema hit out at those who conformed her in the public bathroom, describing their actions as "not legitimate protest."
She added: "It is unacceptable for activist organizations to instruct their members to jeopardize themselves by engaging in unlawful activities such as gaining entry to closed university buildings, disrupting learning environments, and filming students in a restroom."
Gingrich has been contacted for further comment.
