So here we go again, another primetime moment where a guest on CNN apparently decided that diplomacy was overrated. During a live interview with Erin Burnett, Texas Democrat Rep. Jolanda Jones told viewers, according to the on-air clip, “I’m from the hood, OK? So when a bully comes like, if there are no rules, you mentally have to figure it out.” Then came the line that caused jaws to drop, “If you hit me in my face, I’m not going to punch you back in your face. I’m going to go across your neck,” while she made a throat-slashing gesture on camera.
Yes, that happened on live television. Burnett looked stunned, gave an awkward nod, and tried to steer the segment along. The video circulated quickly, and viewers — predictably — reacted. Conservatives were outraged, calling it unacceptable for an elected official to use violent imagery and gestures on national TV. Some on the left tried to shrug it off as “colorful language” or passion. Neither reaction is impressive.
Let’s be blunt, violence-tinged talk from anyone in public office is a bad look; from someone who represents voters, it’s worse. Language matters. A gesture across the throat during a discussion about political opponents, followed by talk about “wiping out” opposition in certain states, isn’t exactly conducive to calming the political waters. Those words, whether meant metaphorically or not, give cover to a culture where intimidation and threats become normal background noise.
Now, to be fair and factual, social media has a way of blowing up and sometimes twisting things, so it’s important to stick to what was actually said on air. Jones’ remarks and the gesture were on camera, and they sparked legitimate debate about whether political rhetoric on the left has moved beyond passionate disagreement and into the realm of intimidation. That debate matters because heated rhetoric can embolden real-world violence; we don’t need to invent extra horrors to make that point.
If you’re tired of this, you’re not alone. Many conservatives and independents want politicians who argue loudly but not threateningly, who win on ideas rather than frightening imagery. President Trump’s supporters will point to moments like this as proof that the standards applied to public discourse are uneven. Liberals who care about civility should be uncomfortable too; violent-sounding talk reflects poorly on anyone who embraces it.
Call it theatrics, call it slang gone wrong, call it a wake-up call. Whatever label you use, elected officials should remember that their words carry weight; maybe that should mean we expect better than throat-slashing gestures on national TV.
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