Paul Gosar, a member of the Republican party and the United States House of Representatives, has been at the centre of political drama recently after posting a controversial animated video of striking his lawmaker colleague with a sword.
A censure vote on Wednesday will limit his ability to shape legislation and deliver for constituents. It states that depictions of violence can foment actual violence and jeopardize the safety of elected officials, citing the January 6 attack on the Capitol as an example.
Who is Paul Gosar?
Congressman Paul Gosar, who is currently a lawmaker representing the fourth district of Arizona, was earlier a dentist and the owner of a small business in Flagstaff. He is an alumnus of Creighton University and Creighton Boyne School of Dentistry.
The 62-year-old Republican was inducted into the United States House of Representatives in 2010 and did not carry any political experience or background.
According to his official website, he has often associated himself with issues linked to “bringing jobs back to the district, fighting illegal immigration and securing the border, challenging the status quo and holding Washington bureaucrats accountable, cutting wasteful government spending.”
In a House of Representatives vote on Wednesday, Gosar’s membership in multiple crucial committees was stripped. These include the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
In the 115th and 116th United States Congresses, Gosar was elected to take the position of the Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, according to his official website.
Gosar, a six-term congressman, posted a video over a week ago with a note saying, “Any anime fans out there?”. During one section of the animated video, Gosar’s character is seen striking another one made to look like Ocasio-Cortez in the neck with a sword. The video also shows him attacking President Joe Biden.
(With AP inputs)