Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) on Wednesday called on current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to be censured for her actions in ripping up a copy of President Trump’s State of the Union address after his speech Tuesday night.
Pelosi has been a hot topic of debate on cable news and online after tearing up the copy of Trump’s remarks.
Gingrich tweeted that her actions were not “clever or cute” and called Pelosi “childish.”
“As Speaker of the House for four State of the Unions by a President of the other party I am disgusted and insulted by the viciously partisan action of Nancy Pelosi tearing up the speech,” Gingrich tweeted to his 2.1 million followers. “She isn’t clever or cute her childishness insults our American traditions -should be censured.”
Following the speech, Pelosi told a Fox News reporter that ripping up the speech “was the courteous thing to do considering the alternatives.”
Trump has not commented directly on Pelosi’s gesture but has retweeted a series of tweets slamming the House Speaker, including one calling of her to be censured.
Pelosi’s actions come after it appeared the president ignored the Speaker’s attempt to shake his hand at the beginning of the speech.
Trump and Pelosi have reportedly not spoken since October, right before House impeachment proceedings against the president began, according to a Pelosi spokesperson.
Vice President Pence on Wednesday called Pelosi’s action “a new low” while making an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”
“I didn’t see her do it; I found out just a few moments later. And I thought it was a new low,” he added.
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway also lashed out at Pelosi on Wednesday, saying she was “petty and peevish” while also calling for the Speaker to be censured.