The father of a Parkland shooting victim apologized for an outburst during President Trump’s State of the Union address that had him removed from the House chamber gallery.
Fred Guttenberg acknowledged that he “should not have yelled out” in the middle of Trump’s speech but explained it was a ‘rough night” in a tweet apologizing for his interruption Tuesday night.
.@kasie: #SOTU protestor appears to have been removed from one of the galleries during president’s address — many Democrats on the floor turned toward the gallery and applauded him as he was taken out of the chamber. pic.twitter.com/dYpfy8d6wd
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) February 5, 2020
Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime was murdered in 2018 in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., was escorted out of the House chamber after shouting something as the president vowed to “always protect your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.”
Though it was unclear what he said, as applause erupted in the chamber following Trump’s remark, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence appeared to look up in the direction of the outburst.
BREAKING: @fred_guttenberg has been released from custody without charges #ImWithFred
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) February 5, 2020
Guttenberg, who started an organization called Orange Ribbons for Jamie, was one of Pelosi’s guests for the State of the Union.
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) February 5, 2020
Later Tuesday night, the gun control activist took to Twitter to apologize.
(1,2) Tonight was a rough night. I disrupted the State Of The Union and was detained because I let my emotions get the best of me. I simply want to be able to deal with the reality of gun violence and not have to listen to the lies about the 2A as happened tonight.
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) February 5, 2020
(2,2) That said, I should not have yelled out. I am thankful for the overwhelming support that I am receiving. However, I do owe my family and friends an apology. I have tried to conduct myself with dignity throughout this process and I will do better as I pursue gun safety.
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) February 5, 2020
Guttenberg made headlines during the confirmation hearings for Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 when it appeared Kavanaugh did not recognize the Parkland father and seemed to ignore an attempt to shake his hand. After the predicted outrage from the left, it was clear that Kavanaugh had not meant to snub Guttenberg.
“When I turned and did not recognize the man, I assumed he was a protestor. In a split second, my security detail intervened and ushered me out of the hearing room,” Kavanaugh said at the time. “Mr. Guttenberg has suffered an incalculable loss. If I had known who he was, I would have shaken his hand, talked to him, and expressed my sympathy. And I would have listened to him.”
Despite his apology Tuesday for shouting out during the president’s speech, many rallied behind Guttenberg, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Parkland student David Hogg.
.@fred_guttenberg lost his daughter in the Parkland shooting and has worked every day since to end gun violence.
Tonight he stood up to a president that believes peace and the second amendment are mutually exclusive and was removed.#ImWithFred pic.twitter.com/RprctMp2iE
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) February 5, 2020
Grateful to call you an ally. You stood by CA when we fought for the toughest gun safety laws in the nation—and won.
We simply should not have to live in fear of going to a movie, a concert or sending our kids to school.
Thank you for your advocacy. I know Jaime would be proud. https://t.co/R2IZGPhUsR
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) February 5, 2020
The “#ImWithFred” hashtag was used in other messages of support from Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., Democratic National Committee Lawyers Council Chair Andrew Weinstein and Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla.
Just underway at @HouseJudiciary oversight hearing of the FBI. Honored to have @fred_guttenberg in attendance. I plan to ask Director Wray about saving lives from gun violence. Something President Trump shamefully ignored in last night’s SOTU. pic.twitter.com/LYxs7pInGq
— Rep. Ted Deutch (@RepTedDeutch) February 5, 2020
There’s something very wrong in America when Parkland parent @fred_guttenberg is removed from the House gallery but @realDonaldTrump is allowed to remain in the White House. #ImWithFred #EndGunViolence https://t.co/Alf4vjTtyJ
— Andrew Weinstein (@Weinsteinlaw) February 5, 2020
I sat one seat apart from @fred_guttenberg at #SOTU tonight.
When POTUS started lying about gun violence, he leaned over and said “I’m about to get kicked out but I can’t stand this.”
And then he stood up for his daughter Jamie and spoke truth to power.#ImWithFred pic.twitter.com/jKS0Iw0AZz
— Will Goodwin (@Will_P_Goodwin) February 5, 2020
Parkland father Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow was one of the victims of the mass shooting, linked to a story about Guttenberg but did not direct his comments to the incident.
Thank you Mr. President for a booming economy, Safer Schools and for protecting our 2A #FixIt https://t.co/BFKnwlYtP0
— Andrew Pollack (@AndrewPollackFL) February 5, 2020
“Thank you Mr. President for a booming economy, Safer Schools and for protecting our 2A,” Pollack, a defender of the Second Amendment, tweeted.
Many who disagreed with Guttenberg’s outburst responded to Pollack’s tweet.
Sorry his kid died, I hope they allow #ConcealedCarry in Schools one day so it never happens again. #NRA #Freedom #Liberty #GoodGuyWithAGun
— TJBrown (@TJBrown04668472) February 5, 2020
I’m very sorry for Mr Guttenberg’s loss of his precious daughter. But it’s not the law abiding citizen gun owners who are the problem.
It’s the criminals who are being let go time after time and also mental illness that needs to be handled better by all.— Susan (@zanzi6862) February 5, 2020
Andy, tell me the diff between someone like urself, losing Meadow and Guttenberg losing his daughter. He yelled out during Trump’s speech and was escorted out. U both loved ur daughters, why does he act out and u r more reserved but carry a big stick.
— Sue (@Waukesha69) February 5, 2020
Ironically, that particular person who invited him could have been working side by side with the president to help craft safe and smart gun legislation. But rather than working with him, she chose to craft numerous bogus investigations that has wasted Americans time!
— ?im?ay?ee (@TeeJayTee63) February 5, 2020
I am sorry for your pain, but thank you for taking a path of decency and facts to try and fix the problem and deal with your grief.
— Kim Krohn (@snottydawg) February 5, 2020
I feel for this father but it was the school district, sheriffs office and FBI that failed him not Trump.
— Toxic Tex (@TexToxic) February 5, 2020
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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