Kentucky governor calls vandalism to McConnell’s home ‘unacceptable’

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) took to Twitter Saturday to condemn the attack on the Louisville home of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

“The vandalism to @senatemajldr McConnell’s home is unacceptable,” he wrote in a tweet.

“While the First Amendment protects our freedom of speech, vandalism is reprehensible and never acceptable for any reason,” he added.

The vandalism to @senatemajldr McConnell’s home is unacceptable. While the First Amendment protects our freedom of speech, vandalism is reprehensible and never acceptable for any reason. ^AB

— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) January 2, 2021

McConnell’s home was vandalized, along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s (D-Calif.), over the New Year’s holiday after a bill to increase coronavirus stimulus checks to $2,000 failed to pass in the Senate several times. 

A message that read “Where’s my money” was written on McConnell’s home in graffiti.

Following the incident, McConnell’s office released a statement from the lawmaker that read, “I’ve spent my career fighting for the First Amendment and defending peaceful protest. I appreciate every Kentuckian who has engaged in the democratic process whether they agree with me or not.”

“This is different. Vandalism and the politics of fear have no place in our society,” the senator added. “My wife and I have never been intimidated by this toxic playbook. We just hope our neighbors in Louisville aren’t too inconvenienced by this radical tantrum.”

NEW THIS MORNING: The home of ⁦@senatemajldr⁩ was vandalized. Messages in red and white spray paint are covering the front porch area. The rest of the home appears to be untouched. ⁦⁦@WDRBNews⁩ pic.twitter.com/pBa1Kq8kqe

— Grace Hayba (@GraceHayba) January 2, 2021

Beshear did not mention the paint on Pelosi’s home in his tweet.

“Cancel rent!,” “$2K” and “We want everything!” were among the messages spray painted on the lawmaker’s home in San Francisco.

This violence is unacceptable. @SpeakerPelosi’s house in California is reportedly vandalized – we should all be outraged by these acts. pic.twitter.com/E4XhVWtcKx

— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) January 2, 2021

The House passed a bill late last year that would increase stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000 late last year.

On Friday, Senate Republicans blocked the bill as well as an attempt by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to set up votes on the House bill and a competing proposal from McConnell that would link the money to two other provisions including repealing Section 230 and establishing a new elections commission. 

The stalemate ensures that Congress will not be able to get a bill on President Trump’s desk to sign before the 116th Congress ends on Sunday morning.